On Monday evening, an 18-year-old suspect conducted a walkthrough of a library in Northern California before retrieving a shotgun from his vehicle. He fatally shot two men, one at the entrance and another inside, according to law enforcement. The incident occurred at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library. Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge stated that gunshots and screams were captured in a 911 call. Officers arrived within two minutes, quickly apprehending the suspect.
Chief Aldridge praised the officers for their swift response, stating that their actions prevented further loss of life. The suspect first shot a man at the library’s entrance in the leg before shooting him in the head. Inside, he fired multiple shots, fatally striking another man in the head, said Sid Patel, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Sacramento office. Patel described the attack as horrific and affirmed the FBI’s full involvement in the investigation.
Details on the Victims and Arrest
The victims were identified as 46-year-old Jacob Hull and 74-year-old Robert Johnson. A child sustained a minor injury and was hospitalized, but her identity remains undisclosed. The suspect attempted to flee through the back of the library, yet additional law enforcement personnel stationed outside detained him, reported Aldridge post-arrest. A shotgun was found on the library floor and two additional firearms in the suspect’s car, all registered to his family, according to the police chief.
The shooting has deeply impacted Chico, a city housing around 100,000 residents located approximately 150 miles from San Francisco. In response, authorities are augmenting security across library locations.
This incident is the latest in a series of fatal attacks at libraries over the past nine years. Comparisons include a 2023 case in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a man received a life sentence for shootings in a library and convenience store. In 2020, an individual was committed to a mental health facility after admitting to killing a library security guard in New York. A teenager pleaded guilty to killing two library employees in Clovis, New Mexico, in 2017 and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Misty Wright, director of public libraries in Butte County, expressed her distress, noting libraries should be joyful and safe places.
Investigation and Community Impact
Police cordoned off streets surrounding the library and established a reunification center for those affected. Witnesses captured video footage of police actions, including the suspect’s apprehension. The police later confirmed that the suspect, identified as Bradley Scott Sayer from Chico and recent graduate from Chico High School, acted alone. Sayer is facing charges of two counts of murder.
Sayer’s family secured a lawyer, though details remain undisclosed. A check of Butte County court records revealed no prior entries under Sayer’s name.
Authorities discovered Sayer wearing a shirt emblazoned with “natural selection,” mirroring attire of Columbine shooter Eric Harris. Sayer had expressed a long-standing fascination with the Columbine incident on social media, noted Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey.
Sayer is scheduled for arraignment on Thursday. A witness on a nearby bus documented the police presence and Sayer’s apprehension, offering additional context to developments. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI continue aiding the investigation.
All library branches in Butte County were closed on Tuesday as safety measures took precedence.
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