A California teenager who wanted to commit a ‘Columbine-style massacre’ killed two people in a shooting at a library on Monday, police say.
The gunman, identified as Bradley Scott Sayer, 18, allegedly opened fire at the Butte County Library in Chico, California around 5pm.
An open 911 line reportedly allowed dispatchers to hear a number of gunshots and people screaming in the library, where a child was also injured alongside the two people who were killed.
Sayer ran out of the library after being confronted by police, where two more officers then arrested him as he tried to flee, police said. He is now facing two counts of open murder.
On Tuesday, authorities identified 36-year-old Chico resident Jacob Hull as a victim in the shooting. Another unidentified man, aged 74, was also killed
Authorities said they believe Sayer acted alone, and said he hoped to carry out a ‘Columbine High School massacre-type of shooting.’
The Columbine High School massacre in April 1999 saw two high schoolers kill 14 people and injure 23 others, and the shooting has often been credited as inspiration by future mass killers.
Police said Sayer tried to kill many more people in a random spree shooting, and said there is ‘no indication Sayer had any prior relationship with or connection to any of the victims in the library at the time of the shooting.’
Footage from the scene showed a huge police presence surrounded the library, before a police officer arrested the gunman on the ground and handcuffed him.
Bradley Scott Sayer, 18, allegedly opened fire at Butte County Library in Chico, California on Monday, killing two people and injuring a child in an attempted ‘Columbine High School massacre-type of shooting’
Footage showed a huge police presence surrounded the library, before an officer tackled the gunman to the ground and handcuffed him
On Tuesday, authorities identified 36-year-old Chico resident Jacob Hull as a victim in the shooting. Another unidentified man, aged 74, was also killed
Following the tragic shooting, Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the library’s staff likely saved lives with their quick thinking as Sayer opened fire.
‘They heard the shots, they even saw what was going on, and they shepherded children and patrons into safe places and locked doors,’ Ramsey told the county’s board of supervisors.
Sayer had only recently graduated from Chico High School before the shooting, per images of him shared by his mother to social media.
Chief Billy Aldridge of the Chico Police Department said at a press conference on Monday night: ‘The incident tonight was obviously very sad and very traumatic for a lot of people – very traumatic for our community.’
He said the investigation is ongoing, and officers will continue ‘conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and reviewing facts of the case.’
A relative of Sayer confirmed the gunman’s identity to the California Post, and told the outlet that he was ‘shocked’ by the horrific shooting.
Sayer had only recently graduated from Chico High School before the shooting, per images of him shared by his mother to social media
Police said Sayer tried to kill many more people in a random spree shooting, and said there is ‘no indication Sayer had any prior relationship with or connection to any of the victims in the library at the time of the shooting’
The shooting unfolded at Butte County Library (pictured) around 5pm Monday
In a statement following the tragedy, Rep. James Gallagher, who represents the area, said: ‘I am heartbroken by this senseless violence and am praying for the victims, their loved ones and everyone impacted by this tragedy.’
‘Thank you to the brave law enforcement officers and other first responders who responded quickly to protect our community. Chico is strong, and we will stand together in the days ahead,’ he said in the statement.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also said in a statement after the shooting: ‘Our hearts are with the Chico community tonight.
‘We are grateful to law enforcement for their swift actions to secure the scene and take the suspect into custody. No family should have to endure a tragedy like this.’
