The gunman who carried out a taking pictures at a California church was motivated by his hate of Taiwanese individuals, authorities mentioned.
The shooter killed Dr. John Cheng and wounded 5 others throughout a lunch held by the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church. The group worships at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, positioned in California’s southern Orange County.
The suspect has been charged with one depend of homicide and 5 counts of tried homicide. He’s suspected to seem in court docket on Tuesday, and a federal hate crimes investigation can be ongoing.
The suspect is predicted to seem in court docket on Tuesday
What did authorities say?
Orange County sheriff Don Barnes mentioned the shooter, who he recognized as a Chinese language immigrant, harbored grievances towards Taiwanese individuals.
The suspect’s household had been forcibly moved from China to Taiwan a while after 1948, Orange County District Lawyer Todd Spitzer mentioned. Spitzer mentioned that the suspect had an “absolute bias” towards Taiwan.
In accordance with authorities, the suspect’s hand-written Mandarin notes present that he didn’t really feel like he was handled effectively whereas dwelling in Taiwan.
China claims Taiwan as a part of its nationwide territory. Taiwan has no seat within the UN and is barely formally acknowledged by a handful of nations, however many states all over the world preserve unofficial diplomatic relations with it.
Tensions have not too long ago risen between China and Taiwan over Beijing’s army drills within the East China Sea.
How did Taiwan react?
Taiwan’s president on Tuesday denounced the taking pictures on the California church.
President Tsai Ing-wen’s workplace issued an announcement saying she condemned “any type of violence.”
The President additionally prolonged her condolences to these killed and injured.
She has requested the self-governing island’s chief consultant within the US to fly to California and present help.
What do we all know in regards to the taking pictures?
Sheriff Barnes mentioned that the gunman drove from Las Vegas to Orange County and secured the doorways of the church with chains, tremendous glue and nails earlier than he began taking pictures. He additionally positioned 4 Molotov cocktail-like units contained in the church.
Cheng, a sports activities drugs physician, charged on the gunman in an try to disarm him, which allowed others to intervene. A pastor hit the gunman on the pinnacle with a chair and parishioners restrained him with electrical cords.
Barnes mentioned Cheng “in all probability” saved the lives of “upwards of dozens of individuals.”
sdi/jsi (AP, Reuters)