7 dead in 2nd California shooting within days

San Francisco, Jan 24: At least seven people were shot dead by a gunman in California, just two days after one of the deadliest mass shooting incident in the US state just two days ago that claimed 10 lives.

Monday’s attack occurred at two separate locations in the coastal city of Half Moon Bay, about 50 km south of San Francisco, reports the BBC.

The police have arrested the gunman and identified him as Zhao Chunli, a 67-year-old local resident.

The first four victims were discovered at a mushroom farm at 2.22 p.m., while the other three were found at a nearby trucking business later.

A motive for the attack is yet to be established.

Addressing a news conference on Monday night, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said that the suspect was arrested after driving himself to a local police station at around 4.40 p.m.

She said that he found with a semi-automatic pistol that may have been used in the attack, and is currently “co-operating” with police.

Corpus added that an eighth victim is being treated in hospital and is in critical condition.

“This kind of shooting is horrific. It’s a tragedy we hear about far too often, but today it’s hit home here in San Mateo County,” the BBC quoted the Sheriff as saying.

Monday’s attack comes as the state is still mourning the deaths in majority-Asian Monterey Park during celebrations for the Lunar New Year on Saturday night.

Taking to Twitter on Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom said: “At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy.”

The 72-year-old gunman of the mass shooting in Monterey Park was found dead on Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot injury after a standoff with police officers.

Five women and five men were killed, while another 10 people suffered injuries in the tragic incident that occurred at 10.22 p.m. on Saturday night in Star Ballroom Dance Studio, a popular ballroom dance facility operated for about 30 years, when it was hosting an event to celebrate the countdown to the Chinese Lunar New Year.