Half Moon Bay shooting: California reeling after another deadly rampage

Half Moon Bay, California - At least seven people were killed in two related shootings in the beach-side community of Half Moon Bay, California, a tragedy that comes just two days after 11 people were killed in another shooting in Monterey Park.

At least seven people were killed in two related shootings in the beach-side community of Half Moon Bay, California.
At least seven people were killed in two related shootings in the beach-side community of Half Moon Bay, California.  © JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The suspected shooter, a 67-year-old resident of the community, was arrested about two hours after the shootings, sitting in a parked car at a sheriff's substation.

Deputies with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office first found four victims shot to death in the 12700 block of Cabrillo Highway in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, south of San Francisco.

A fifth victim was also found in the area and taken to Stanford Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, the Sheriff's Office said in a statement to The Times.

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Minutes later, in a nearby area, deputies found three more victims dead of apparent gunshot wounds.

The motive for the shootings is still unknown, sheriff's officials said in a statement.

Half Moon Bay shooting suspect arrested in parking lot

The suspected shooter, Zhao Chunli, was arrested after he was spotted sitting in his car at the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office substation.
The suspected shooter, Zhao Chunli, was arrested after he was spotted sitting in his car at the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office substation.  © REUTERS

The suspected shooter was identified as Zhao Chunli, after he was spotted sitting in his car at the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office substation in Half Moon Bay.

Video from ABC 7 showed deputies taking a man to the ground in the parking lot. The man was wearing a white cap, vest and red long-sleeve shirt underneath.

The weapon believed to have been used in the incident was also found inside his car.

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Half Moon Bay Mayor Deborah Penrose told The Los Angeles Times multiple people were killed.

"I'm very sorry for the families of the victims," she said.

City officials were reaching out to nonprofit organizations to provide help to the affected families, and more information will be provided later today, she said.

"There is no ongoing threat to the community at this time," the Sheriff's Office said in a tweet.

California Governor Gavin Newsom reacts to shootings

The shootings come just two days after 11 people were killed in a mass shooting in Monterey Park, shocking the community in one of the worst mass shooting incidents in Los Angeles County.

On Twitter, California Governor Gavin Newsom noted he was in the hospital meeting the victims of the Monterey Park shooting when he was notified about the shootings in Half Moon Bay.

"Tragedy upon tragedy," Newsom tweeted.

President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the situation, and has asked federal law enforcement officials to provide any needed assistance to local law enforcement, according to a statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Cover photo: JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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