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A gunman carrying a semi-automatic weapon and two handguns has killed four people after opening fire at multiple locations across a small Northern California community.
Key points:
- A gunman opened fire in the community of Rancho Tehama Reserve
- The shooter was shot dead during the incident
- A school district spokeswoman said no one was killed at the school where students were aged between 5 and 11
At least 10 other people were wounded, including two children at an elementary school, near the small town of Corning about 160 kilometres north of Sacramento, where the suspect was later shot dead by police.
"Deeply saddened to hear of the shooting in Northern California, the loss of life, including innocent children," US Vice-President Mike Pence said on Twitter.
"We commend the effort of courageous law enforcement. We'll continue to monitor the situation & provide federal support, as we pray for comfort & healing for all impacted."
Tehama County Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston said at a news conference that the shooter, who he did not name, had been armed with a semi-automatic rifle and two handguns.
Mr Johnston did not give a motive for the shooting rampage, and said officers were investigating at least five crime scenes in and around the school.
He said one student was injured at the school and another child was shot while driving with a woman, who was also wounded.
"It was very clear at the onset that we had an individual that was randomly picking targets," he said.
'This guy is crazy'
The Sacramento Bee newspaper, citing multiple law enforcement officials, later identified the suspect as 43-year-old Kevin Janson Neal, a local resident who had been arrested in February in connection with a stabbing.
The local Redding Record Searchlight newspaper reported that the shooting began when the gunman opened fire at a home and some six other locations shortly after 8:00am local time.
One parent, Coy Ferreira, said he was dropping off his daughter at the elementary school when he heard gunfire.
"One of the teachers came running out of the building and told us to all run inside because there was a shooter coming," Mr Ferreira told a local television station.
He said he heard gunfire for over 20 minutes and that a student in the room was struck.
Local resident Brian Flint told local media his neighbour was the shooter, and had stolen his truck.
"The crazy thing is that the neighbour has been shooting a lot of bullets lately, hundreds of rounds, large magazines," Mr Flint said.
"We made it aware that this guy is crazy and he's been threatening us."
AP/Reuters
Topics: law-crime-and-justice, united-states
First posted