Photo: Jeff Chiu/AP/Shutterstock
In an interview with CNN, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said that the shooting seemed to be a “workplace violence” incident at a farm, and that several children witnessed the attack.
“It was a big rural location, so people are working,” Corpus told CNN. “It’s spread out, there’s people that live at the location as well. It was in the afternoon when kids were out of school. For children to witness this is unspeakable.”
No children were physically injured in the attack.
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The shootings occurred over two separate locations in the small coastal town, just south of San Francisco.
In one location off the Cabrillo Highway, four people were found dead around 2:22 p.m. local time. A fifth victim also suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to Stanford Medical Center. Later, three more bodies were recovered roughly a mile away.
It’s unclear whether children were present at one or both locations.
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He was taken into custody without incident. A weapon was recovered at the scene.
Corpus told reporters Monday that Zhao, 66, used a legally obtained semi-automatic weapon to shoot and kill “individuals that he targeted… What we know is this turned into a workplace violence incident, and he had an opportunity, we believe, to hurt other people, but he targeted individuals that he went after and pursued.”
Jail records indicate Zhao faces charges of premeditated murder and first-degree attempted murder, in addition to a firearms enhancement.
Zhao is set to be arraigned on charges related to the shooting at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. It’s unclear if he has retained an attorney authorized to speak on his behalf. Bail has not yet been set and he has not entered a plea.
source: people.com
