A man with a restraining order and not supposed to have a gun fatally shot his three daughters, aged 9, 10 and 13, an escort and himself during a controlled visit to the Sacramento church, officials said Tuesday. .
Investigators are trying to put together the father’s motive and how he used the weapon in the shooting, which took place around 5pm on Monday.
Under California David Fidel Mora-Rojas, 39, was not required to have a weapon because of the restraining order.
Mora-Rojas had a restraining order against him from his wife and was visiting the church with his three children on Monday afternoon.
The horrific attack began around 5:10 p.m. on Monday, when officers were called to the Sacramento Church in the city’s Arden Mall area, the city said. ABC10.
The shooting took place in the main room of the small church. Emergency services were alerted after a church employee upstairs heard gunshots and called 911.
A huge police presence gathered in front of the church where the shooting took place
Many people were killed in a shooting Monday at a church near the California capital, Sacramento, CBS13 reported, citing the Sacramento Fire Department.
A large police presence can be seen gathered in front of the church in the Ardennes-Arcade area
A police vehicle can be seen positioned in front of the church early Monday night
Residents are watching police work after a shooting at a church in Sacramento, California
People are looking through a fence at a church after a Sacramento shooting
Police block Ethan Way and Weed Way after Sacramento church shooting
A father killed four by shooting three of his children before committing suicide at a church in Sacramento
A deputy sheriff released a tape from the crime scene after the shooting
A police officer can be seen putting a tape from the crime scene after Monday’s shooting
The Sacramento County Sheriff offered little details about the shooting at the church, which is located in a predominantly residential block near a shopping area east of downtown Sacramento.
Authorities did not disclose what type of weapon was used.
Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones said 39-year-old David Fidel Mora-Rojas had become estranged from his daughters’ mother, who had a restraining order against him. Detectives treat the shooting as an incident of domestic violence.
Mora-Rojas was arrested in Merced County on charges of DUI by CHP Los Banos on 22 February.
He was sentenced to Merced County Jail on charges of alcohol, driving under the influence of blood alcohol over 0.08, battery against a peace officer, obstruction / resistance of a public official and injuring a peace officer with injury.
He was rescued on February 24.
Sergeant Rod Grassman of the city sheriff’s office said he did not know if the family members belonged to the church, which is located in a predominantly residential block near a shopping district east of downtown Sacramento. CBS13 reported.
It is not immediately known how many people were in the church or whether there were services or activities during the shooting.
Investigators believe the shooting happened during a controlled visit of the father to the church with the children and a companion who was also killed.
Joyce Billy, deputy director of the Sacramento Regional Center for Family Justice, said the specifics of controlled visits could vary widely.
Sometimes the victim will ask a pastor or grandparent to accompany them to their home or church, she said. Other victims seek professional supervision with a trained mediator in a safe place near law enforcement, but this option can be costly, Bileu said.
Bileu said visits to places such as churches could give victims a false sense of security.
The church is known to teach Bible studies to children and teenagers, although none were scheduled for Monday.
The three girls went to Bannon Creek Elementary School and Leroy Greene Academy in the Natomas United School District, which issued a statement.
“There are very few words at the moment that can comfort this indescribable tragedy,” the district said on Tuesday. “There will be a number of emotions from our students and staff, especially in the schools the students have attended.”
The possible motive for the shooting has not been announced yet, but the sheriff’s office said it was domestic violence.
Police officers are inspecting the site of the shooting at the church
Police are investigating a shooting at a church in Sacramento near Wyda Way and Ethan Way in Sacramento on Monday
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputies stand next to a police lane that blocks the street leading to a church where a massacre of multiple victims took place in Sacramento on Monday
Neighbors Samantha Sanchez and Nick Martinez watch as police investigate the Sacramento church shooting site
City Police Sergeant Rod Grassman also confirmed that a fifth had been killed, but it was unclear whether the man was also a member of the family.
“Another senseless act of gun violence in America – this time in our backyard. In a church with children inside. Absolutely devastating, “California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement.
“Our hearts are with the victims, their families and their communities. We work closely with local law enforcement.
“Our thoughts are with the community, the parishioners and everyone affected by this horrific event.”
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg also tweeted about the incident on Monday night.
“This is an indescribable tragedy. It happens too often and it happened in our backyard tonight. The first thoughts are about the victims and their families. It’s the same with the first responders to face such a horrible scene.
The shooting took place in a church on the outskirts of the California capital in the Arden Mall area of the city (pictured, photo file)
“Another senseless act of gun violence in America – this time in our backyard. In a church with children inside. Absolutely devastating, “California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg also tweeted about Monday night’s tragedy
BREAKING NEWS: @sacsheriff MPs in response to a shooting at a Wyda Way church in the Arden-Arcade neighborhood. There is currently a huge presence of sheriff and police. @van_tieu is on stage and photojournalist Miguel Kano pic.twitter.com/VFBCNfe76z
– Madison Wwad (@madisoncwade) March 1, 2022
Along with emergency services, a SWAT team has also been called in as officers try to secure the scene. ABC10.
Video footage from the scene shows an increased police presence in front of the church in the Ardennes-Arcade area outside the city limits.
“Please be aware and be careful. Local law enforcement is responding to the shooting of mass victims in the county in a church on 2041 Wyda way “, said on Twitter the mayor of Sacramento Pro Tem Eric Gera. “Please be vigilant while you are in the area, as local law enforcement is responding.”
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office told the public to avoid the area due to the large police presence and said it was setting up a command post in the area.