Suspect in Half Moon Bay shooting spree targeted farm worker colleagues

Seven people are dead in a mass shooting at Half Moon Bay, California, on Tuesday. Police officials said that it was a probable case of “workplace violence.”

This devastating incident came after the recent Lunar Year mass shooting in Monterey Park, just southeast of Half Moon Bay. The police arrested the gunman, Chunli Zhao, 66, when he drove to the police station.

California governor Gavin Newsom was consoling the victims of the first attack when he received a notice of this second shooting. He expressed his frustration about the US gun laws at a conference. Newsom was tired of “saying the same things we hear again and again.”

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.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 24, 2023

He said, “What the hell is wrong with us that we allow these weapons of war and large capacity clips out on the streets and sidewalks?” According to San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus, the suspect has legal possession of the gun.

In addition, the police also said that Zhao was a city resident and an employee of the Mountain Mushroom Farm. According to BBC, the officers haven’t disclosed the identities of the victims’ identities, two women and five men. Some of them are Asian, and others are Hispanic.

Motive of Revenge

Zhao already had a temporary restraining order after a former co-worker accused him of an attack in 2013. Yingjiou Wang, the co-worker who lived with Zhao, wrote in court that Zhao’s violence began after Zhao quit his job.

California stands and mourns with those who lost loved ones to yet another senseless tragedy – this time in Half Moon Bay.

We will continue to support the victims, families and communities facing unspeakable loss and trauma. pic.twitter.com/6P4qih3xTE

— California Governor (@CAgovernor) January 25, 2023

Half Moon Bay Mayor Deborah Penrose confirmed that all the victims are agricultural workers. The police discovered four victims at the mushroom farm while the other three were at a nearby trucking business. Moreover, the eighth victim was stable after undergoing surgery.

Corpus said, “The only connection between the suspects and the victims is that they may have been co-workers. All of the evidence we have points to this being an instance of workplace violence.” She also confirmed that a few children were on the attack site when the shooting happened. The students have just finished school at that time.

After the gunman shot the victims, he went to a local police station. He will appear in court on Wednesday. Meanwhile, hours after the Half Moon Bay attack, seven people were injured, and one died in an Oakland shooting.

President Biden has pushed Congress to act immediately to ban weapons and guns. He also noted that the non-stop gun violence requires intense and immediate action.