Police tape blocks the street near the scene of a shooting in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, February 28, 2022.
A man shot and killed his three children, their mentor and himself during a church inspection with children on Monday in Sacramento, California.
Responding to reports of shootings around 5 p.m., the sergeant said five people, including the shooter, were killed at the church in the Arden-Arcade neighborhood. Rod Grassman with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
The victims included three teens under the age of 15, Grassman said. He did not know their gender.
Sheriff Scott Jones said the shooter was separated from the children’s mother, who had a restraining order against him.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred during a supervised visit with the children and that the fourth victim was their mentor, Jones said. The identity of the shooter was not immediately released.
A church worker heard gunshots and called 911, Grassman said. He said the firing took place in the main sanctuary area.
Grassman said sheriff’s officers are investigating it as an incident of domestic violence.
Officials did not know whether the family members were related to the church, which sits on a mostly residential block near a commercial area east of downtown Sacramento.
It was not immediately known how many people were in the church or whether there were any services or activities at the time of the shooting.
Governor Gavin Newsom said his office is working with local law enforcement.
“Another senseless act of gun violence in America – this time in our backyard. At a church with the kids. Absolutely devastating,” Newsom said on Twitter.
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