On Monday, just two days after a shooting at a popular dance hall that killed 11 people, a gunman killed seven before being apprehended in California.
The most recent attacks took place in the coastal city of Half Moon Bay, about 50 kilometers (about 30 miles) south of San Francisco, at two distinct locations.
Zhao Chunli, a 67-year-old local, was identified as the assailant.
It comes as the state mourns the deaths that occurred during the Lunar New Year celebrations in majority-Asian Monterey Park.
News cameras captured the suspect turning himself in to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, approximately two hours after the attack.
Around 14:22 local time (00:22 GMT), the first four victims were found at a mushroom farm, and the remaining three were later found at a nearby trucking company.
The attack’s motivation has not yet been established by investigators.
During a press conference, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus stated that the suspect was apprehended after driving himself to a nearby police station around 16:40.
She added that he is currently “co-operating” with police because he was found with a semi-automatic pistol that may have been used in the attack.
Mrs. Corpus went on to say that an eighth victim is in critical condition and being treated in a hospital.
She stated, “This kind of shooting is horrifying.” It’s a tragedy that we hear about far too often, but today it has hit San Mateo County particularly hard.
The sheriff also said in a press conference that children who lived on the rural property and had just been let out of school were among the witnesses.
She stated, “This is unspeakable for children to witness.”
“At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting,” California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted.
“At Half Moon Bay this time. Tragic after tragic.
Debbie Ruddock, a member of the Half Moon Bay Council, revealed to NBC that the victims were Chinese farmworkers.
The attacks were carried out by a “disgruntled worker,” according to President Dave Pine of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.
In a statement, Mr. Pine stated, “We are sickened by today’s tragedy in Half Moon Bay.”
“Sadly, gun violence has struck close to home. We haven’t even had a chance to mourn the victims of the horrific shooting in Monterey Park. The use of firearms must end.”
