A father opened fire at a church near Sacramento, California, killing four people – including his three young children – before turning the gun on himself, local officials say. The motive was not immediately known.
The mass shooting happened at 5:07 p.m. on Monday when officers were called for an active shooter at “The Church in Sacramento,” which is located on Wyda Way in Arden-Arcade, a community on the edge of Sacramento.
Sgt. Rod Grassman, a spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, said the shooting happened in the main room of the small church. An employee who was upstairs called 911 when they heard the shots.
Deputies responded to the scene and found five people who were suffering from gunshot wounds, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene. It includes the shooter, his three children below the ages of 15, and one other person.
The identity of the fourth victim was not immediately known. “I don’t know if they’re related to this family or just happened to be in the church at that time,” Sgt. Grassman said.
There was no word on a possible motive for Monday’s shooting.
“We are actively monitoring the shooting at a church in Sacramento and working closely with local law enforcement,” the office of California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the community, parishioners, and all those impacted by this horrific event.”