California police are crediting congregants with saving lives after an armed man opened fire during a church banquet yesterday.
The suspect, described as an Asian man in his 60s, opened fire at a the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, killing one.
Orange County undersheriff Jeff Hallock told reporters during a press conference, “we believe a group of churchgoers detained him and hogtied his legs with an extension cord and confiscated at least two weapons from him. He was detained when the deputies arrived.”
Hallock later credited the group for “undoubtedly prevent[ing] additional injuries and fatalities” and additionally praised them for displaying “exceptional heroism.”
He added that “had people not intervened, it could’ve been much worse. There were 30 to 40 people in the church.”
The shooting at the church campus about 40 miles southeast of Los Angeles was reported at 1:26 p.m. Sunday, with first responders arriving at the scene within minutes to find the suspect already subdued, Hallock said.