'Exceptional heroism': California churchgoers stopped rampage, hogtied suspect after deadly shooting

LOS ANGELES – One person is dead and five others were wounded – four critically – after a gunman entered a Southern California church during a luncheon and opened fire, authorities said Sunday.

Police said the gunman, an Asian man in his 60s, was armed with two handguns when he entered the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods around 1:30 PT. The church, about 45 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, had finished its morning services and congregants were gathered for an afternoon luncheon, Jeff Hallock, Orange County's Undersheriff said at a news conference.

As bullets were fired, a group of churchgoers were able to get a hold of the gunman. They pinned him to the ground and hogtied his legs, Hallock said.

"That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery in intervening to stop the suspect," Hallock said. "They undoubtedly prevented additional injuries and fatalities."

When deputies arrived, they found the suspect hogtied and took him into custody. He was not injured.

Hallock said the suspect is not from the area and a motive isn't clear. He said authorities are investigating why he targeted the church, which was hosting a large Taiwanese congregation at the time, and whether it might be considered a hate crime.

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It's not clear whether the suspect, whose identity hasn't been released, had any connection to the church or its congregation.

All of the victims were adults, according to the sheriff's office.

About 30 to 40 people were inside the church at the time of the shooting, most of whom were Taiwanese, authorities said. The church hosts the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church for its services Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., the church’s website says.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Twitter it is actively monitoring the shooting and working with local law enforcement.

"No one should have to fear going to their place of worship. Our thoughts are with the victims, community, and all those impacted by this tragic event," the office tweeted.

The incident occurred in an area with a cluster of houses of worship, including Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist churches and a Jewish synagogue.

The shooting came a day after an 18-year-old man shot and killed 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.