Mass Shooting in Oakland, California Leaves One Dead and Seven Injured, President Biden Requests Federal Law Enforcement Assistance
On Monday night, a mass shooting in Oakland, California left one person dead and seven injured. The incident happened at a gas station on MacArthur Boulevard during a music video shoot. The attack marked the third mass shooting in California in a matter of days, following an 11-person shooting in Monterey Park over the weekend.[0]
The suspected shooter was identified as 67-year-old Half Moon Bay resident Chunli Zhao.[1] The sheriff's office said the individual was apprehended without any trouble around 4:40 p.m. after being discovered in his car in the Half Moon Bay substation's parking lot of the sheriff's office.[1] In his car was discovered a semi-automatic handgun.[1]
When officials arrived at the scene, they found “several casings” but no victims, the statement said.[2] During the investigation, officers learned there had been a shooting between several individuals.[2]
Vice Mayor Joaquin Jimenez of Half Moon Bay reported that the casualties were made up of Chinese and Latino farm laborers.[3] Some workers lived at one of the facilities and children may have witnessed the shooting.[4]
Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, posted a tweet informing the public that President Biden had been briefed about the fatal shooting and had asked for federal law enforcement to offer assistance to the local authorities if needed. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated that it is providing the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office with both investigative and forensic support.[3]
The suspected shooter, a man named Huu Can Tran, was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a manhunt on Sunday.[5] Upon arrival, deputies located four victims deceased with gunshot wounds and a fifth victim, also suffering from gunshot wounds, was transported to Stanford Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.[6]
A family reunification center was set up at IDES Hall, which is located at 735 Main St. in Half Moon Bay, and is also providing shelter to those families who live in residences that are too close to the crime scenes to allow them to return home.[3]
Captain Eamonn Allen of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office reported that the firearm was a semi-automatic handgun obtained through legal means.[7]
Those with knowledge of the shooting are encouraged to call the police station at 510-238-3821.[8]
The tragic and senseless attack highlights the urgent need to address gun violence in the US. President Biden has called for federal law enforcement to provide any necessary assistance to the local authorities.
0. “Eight shot, one fatally during Half Moon Bay mass shooting was ‘instance of workplace violence,’ police say” Yahoo! Voices, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/news/eight-shot-one-fatally-during-193200293.html
1. “7 dead, 1 injured in Half Moon Bay shootings; suspect in custody” CNBC, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/24/san-francisco-half-moon-bay-shootings-latest-updates.html
2. “1 killed and 7 injured in shooting in Oakland, California” CNN, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/24/us/oakland-shooting-california/index.html
3. “Update: 7 dead in Half Moon Bay mass shooting; suspect in custody identified” CBS Los Angeles, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/half-moon-bay-shootings-cabrillo-highway-san-mateo-road/
4. “Half Moon Bay shooting likely workplace related: Law enforcement” Al Jazeera English, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/24/law-enforcement-half-moon-bay-shooting-was-workplace-related
5. “Monterey Park shooting: Why the suspect's age stands out” NPR, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/01/24/1150818507/the-suspected-monterey-park-attacker-was-72-heres-why-older-shooters-are-rare
6. “Northern California shooting leaves at least 7 dead, officials say: suspect in custody” Fox News, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-shooting-leaves-multiple-victims-authoritie-say
7. “Half Moon Bay shooting suspect due in court Wednesday” KRON4, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/half-moon-bay-shooting-suspect-due-in-court-wednesday/
8. “8 shot, 1 killed at Oakland gas station” KRON4, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/8-shot-1-killed-at-oakland-gas-station/