A California teenager who allegedly hoped to carry out a “Columbine-style massacre” fatally shot two people during an attack at a library on Monday, authorities said.
Police identified the suspected gunman as 18-year-old Bradley Scott Sayer, who they say opened fire at the Butte County Library in Chico, California, at about 5 p.m.
According to reports, an open 911 call let dispatchers hear multiple gunshots and screams inside the library, where a child was also wounded in addition to the two people killed.
Sayer fled the library after police confronted him, but two additional officers stopped and arrested him as he attempted to escape, officials said.
Chico Police publicly named Sayer as the suspect on Tuesday, when he was charged with two open counts of murder.
Investigators said they believe Sayer acted by himself and intended to carry out what they described as a “Columbine High School massacre-type of shooting.”
The April 1999 Columbine High School massacre left 14 people dead and 23 others injured, and the attack has repeatedly been cited as an influence by later mass killers.
Police said Sayer appeared to be attempting to kill many more people in a random shooting spree, adding that there was “no indication Sayer had any prior relationship with or connection to any of the victims in the library at the time of the shooting.”
Footage from the scene showed a huge police presence surrounded the library, before a police officer arrested the gunman on the ground and handcuffed him.
Bradley Scott Sayer, 18, allegedly opened fire at Butte County Library in Chico, California on Monday, killing two people and injuring a child in an attempted ‘Columbine High School massacre-type of shooting’
Footage showed a huge police presence surrounded the library, before an officer tackled the gunman to the ground and handcuffed him
Sayer had only recently graduated from Chico High School before the shooting, per images of him shared by his mother to social media.
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Chief Billy Aldridge of the Chico Police Department said at a press conference on Monday night: ‘The incident tonight was obviously very sad and very traumatic for a lot of people — very traumatic for our community.’
He said the investigation is ongoing, and officers will continue ‘conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and reviewing facts of the case.’
A relative of Sayer confirmed the gunman’s identity to the California Post, and told the outlet that he was ‘shocked’ by the horrific shooting.
In a statement following the tragedy, Rep. James Gallagher, who represents the area, said: ‘I am heartbroken by this senseless violence and am praying for the victims, their loved ones and everyone impacted by this tragedy.’
‘Thank you to the brave law enforcement officers and other first responders who responded quickly to protect our community. Chico is strong, and we will stand together in the days ahead,’ he said in the statement.
Sayer had only recently graduated from Chico High School before the shooting, per images of him shared by his mother to social media
Police said Sayer tried to kill many more people in a random spree shooting, and said there is ‘no indication Sayer had any prior relationship with or connection to any of the victims in the library at the time of the shooting’
The shooting unfolded at Butte County Library (pictured) around 5pm Monday
California Governor Gavin Newsom also said in a statement after the shooting: ‘Our hearts are with the Chico community tonight.
‘We are grateful to law enforcement for their swift actions to secure the scene and take the suspect into custody. No family should have to endure a tragedy like this.’
