HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (KGO) — Seven people are dead and one is critically injured following shootings at two farms in Half Moon Bay this afternoon, a source confirmed to ABC7 News.
The shootings were reported at Mountain Mushroom Farm on San Mateo Road near Highway 1 and Concord Farms off Cabrillo Hwy S. First responders first received a call about an active shooter at around 2:20 p.m.
7 dead, 1 hurt after Half Moon Bay shootings, sheriff says
Authorities first responded to the 12700 block of San Mateo Road near Concord Farms, close to Rice Trucking-Soil Farm off of Hwy. 1. Deputies found four victims deceased with gunshot wounds. A fifth victim, also suffering from gunshot wounds, was transported to Stanford Medical Center with life threatening injuries.
At the second shooting, less than 3 miles away at the 2100 block of Cabrillo Highway South, three additional victims were located, also deceased with gunshot wounds.
The suspect has been taken into custody, sheriff’s officials said.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Watch moment police arrest suspect in deadly Half Moon Bay shootings
Chunli Zhao, 67, of Half Moon Bay, has been arrested in connection to the incidents, The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
The Sheriff’s Office says a weapon was located in his vehicle. Zhao is believed to have acted alone and there is no further threat to the community.
“This is a devastating tragedy for this community and the many families touched by this unspeakable act of violence,” said San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus.
A source tells ABC7 News the suspect worked at one of the mushroom farms, and all the victims were coworkers.
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Locals tell us Mountain Mushroom Farm is known to be a marijuana growing farm.
We were told that the Holy Family Children’s Center went on lockdown around 3:20 p.m.
A family reunification center has been set up at the IDES Hall at 735 Main Street.
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo released the following statement after the shootings in her congressional district in Half Moon Bay:
“I continue to monitor the unfolding tragedy that has taken place in Half Moon Bay. My gratitude to the San Mateo Sheriff’s Office who took the suspect into custody and are working the two scenes of the murders. “Half Moon Bay is a beloved and tight-knit community, and we all stand with them and the families of the victims during this dark hour.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted that President Biden has been briefed on the shootings, and that he has asked federal law enforcement to provide any necessary assistance to the local authorities. The President will be updated as more details become available, Jean-Pierre added.
Governor Gavin Newsom also responded to the incidents, just one day after the deadly mass shooting at Monterey Park in Southern California. “At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. Tragedy upon tragedy,” Newsom tweeted.
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Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Deschler at 1-800-547-2700.
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