A violent incident unfolded at a library in Northern California on Monday, resulting in the deaths of two people. The suspected gunman, identified as 18-year-old Bradley Scott Sayer, was taken into police custody after a swift response by authorities. According to officials, Sayer was influenced by the 1999 Columbine High School shooting and other mass shootings.
The Chico Police Department reported that Sayer had no known connection to the library or the victims. Before the shooting, he allegedly conducted a walkthrough of the building, retrieved a shotgun from his vehicle, and then opened fire at the front of the library. The victims were fatally shot, one at the main door and the other inside the building.
Following multiple 911 calls, officers arrived at the scene and established a perimeter. Sayer exited the building and was taken into custody within four minutes of the first call. The rapid police response was credited with preventing further loss of life. The 911 calls included audio of gunshots and screams.
The victims were identified as 46-year-old Jacob Hull and 74-year-old Robert Johnson. An underage girl was injured and received treatment at a hospital. According to police, a total of eight shots were fired during the incident. The investigation revealed that Sayer had recently graduated from Chico High School on June 5.
A search of Sayer's vehicle uncovered two additional firearms. Investigators are looking into how he acquired the weapons. The suspect was wearing a white T-shirt with the slogan "natural selection," which is associated with the 1999 Columbine massacre. Officials stated that Sayer had been a long-time fan of the Columbine shootings on social media.
Sayer is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday. The Butte County District Attorney's office will handle the case. The police chief noted that the quick response prevented more lives from being lost.
