UMVA has learned that a shocking attack unfolded at the Butte County Library in Chico, California, on Monday, leaving two adults dead and a child wounded in a horrific incident that sent shockwaves through the community.
The gunman, an 18-year-old identified as Bradley Scott Sayer, burst into the library around 5:12 p.m. and began firing, prompting multiple 911 calls that captured screams and gunfire over open lines. The rapid response of law enforcement officers, who entered through the front while establishing a perimeter around the building, led to Sayer's arrest as he tried to flee out the back door.
According to information obtained by UMVA, police have stated that Sayer acted alone and had no prior relationship or connection to any of the victims inside the library at the time of the attack. This has led authorities to believe that the shooter's motivation was a desire to carry out a massacre similar to the infamous Columbine High School tragedy.
The attack claimed the lives of two adults at the scene, while a juvenile was shot and transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of their families, leaving the community in a state of anxious uncertainty.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Chico Police Department Chief Billy Aldridge described the shooter's motivation as "founded in a desire to commit a Columbine High School massacre type of shooting." This chilling revelation has raised concerns about the ease with which the gunman was able to carry out the attack.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a heartfelt statement expressing condolences to the Chico community and praising law enforcement for their rapid response in securing the scene and taking the suspect into custody. His words echoed the sentiments of many, who are grappling with the senseless violence that has shaken the community.
U.S. Representative James Gallagher also voiced heartbreak over the violence, thanking first responders for their efforts and offering prayers for the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted by this tragedy. As the community begins to heal, leaders are rallying around the people of Chico, offering support and solidarity in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Sayer has been booked into the Butte County Jail on two counts of murder, and authorities have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat. The Chico Police Department, the Butte County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI are all involved in the ongoing investigation, working tirelessly to piece together the events surrounding the attack.
