Two people were killed and a child was injured in a shooting inside a Northern California library on Monday, officials said.
Police in the city of Chico said officers responded around 5 p.m. after receiving reports of an active shooter at the Butte County Library at Sherman and East 1st avenues. An open 911 line enabled dispatchers to hear gunshots and people screaming inside the building.
As officers moved inside, the suspect ran out the back of the building, where other officers stationed along a perimeter took the person into custody, police said.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that two adults were killed in the shooting. Authorities have not released the victims’ names. One child suffered a minor injury, officials said.
Investigators said the suspect acted alone and was taken into custody without incident. Police said a single firearm was recovered.
Chico police on Tuesday identified the suspect as 18-year-old Chico resident Bradley Scott Sayer. He was arrested and booked into the Butte County Jail for two open counts of murder, they said, adding that there’s “no indication Sayer had any prior relationship with or connection to any of the victims in the library at the time of the shooting.”
His motivation, police said, was apparently to carry out a “Columbine High School massacre type of shooting.”
No officers fired their weapons during the incident, and no officers were injured, officials said.
East 1st Avenue was closed between Sheridan and Arbutus avenues for an extended time.
The Chico Police Department is leading the investigation. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI are assisting.
“I am heartbroken by this senseless violence and am praying for the victims, their loved ones and everyone impacted by this tragedy,” Rep. James Gallagher (R-East Nicolaus) said. “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.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also issued a statement on the shooting.
“Our hearts are with the Chico community tonight,” Newsom said. “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. “