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The congregation from the Taiwanese Presbyterian Church had simply completed consuming lunch — a particular bento with teriyaki rooster — and have been taking images with a beloved pastor who had simply returned from two years in Taiwan when gunfire erupted.
Churchgoer Jerry Chen, 72, was in a close-by kitchen on the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods simply earlier than 1:30 p.m. Sunday when he heard the photographs.
“I heard the gun sounds,” he mentioned. “Then I heard two or three extra gunshots. He was simply randomly taking pictures.”
Chen watched as one individual tried to run outdoors.
“I noticed some folks fall down or go underneath the desk,” he mentioned. “I knew one thing was improper. I referred to as 911.”
The gunman shot six folks, one fatally.
Chen mentioned he then noticed the pastor, Billy Chang, hit the gunman with a chair when the shooter paused to reload his weapon. Different members of the congregation tackled him. Authorities mentioned they hogtied him with an extension twine, a transfer officers consider probably saved many extra lives. A legislation enforcement supply advised The Occasions the gunman, who has not been recognized, had blocked the exits to the corridor to stop folks from getting out.
Peggy Huang, a Yorba Linda metropolis councilwoman whose mother and father are members of the Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, mentioned some members advised her the person opened fireplace as churchgoers have been taking pictures with the pastor. She mentioned many members of the church have navy backgrounds.
Earlier than the service began, members had greeted the gunman — who they’d by no means seen earlier than — and welcomed him. He advised them he had attended providers a number of occasions, however the members have been uncertain as a result of nobody acknowledged him, Chen mentioned.
Little is understood in regards to the taking pictures itself. However the Orange County Sheriff’s Division mentioned an Asian man in his 60s is in custody and that he’s not from the Orange County space. Legislation enforcement sources advised The Occasions the suspect was a 68-year-old Asian man who’s initially from Las Vegas. It’s unclear what connection — if any — he needed to the church.
Chen mentioned the taking pictures marred what was a special day. The congregation was excited to see Pastor Chang, who had been their pastor for 20 years earlier than going to Taiwan, Chen mentioned.
He was contained in the El Toro Highway church for hours Sunday afternoon being interviewed by authorities. They’d been having providers on the church for greater than a decade.
“Our church could be very sort,” he mentioned. “We’re all very sort to different folks.”
Officers praised the actions of churchgoers.
“That group of churchgoers displayed what we consider is outstanding heroism and bravado,” Undersheriff Jeff Hallock mentioned, later including, “It’s secure to say that had they not intervened this example might have been a lot worse.”
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