Suspect in California library shooting that killed 2 wanted ‘a Columbine High School massacre,’ police say

Police identified the two people who were killed Monday in a shooting at a California public library and said the suspect wanted “a Columbine High School massacre-type of shooting.”

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Police said at a news conference Tuesday that the victims were Robert Johnson, 74, of Orland, California, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and Jacob Hull, 46, who was taken to the hospital but died.

A third victim, a juvenile, was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries and has been reunited with her family.

Earlier Tuesday, the Chico Police Department identified the suspect as Bradley Scott Sayer, 18, who was arrested on two open counts of murder at the Butte County Jail.

Sayer graduated from Chico High School on June 5. Officials said at the news conference that he lived between two locations with his mother and with his father.

Police Chief Billy Aldridge told reporters that Sayer had no connections to any of the victims.

“This community continues to have things that happen not only in Chico but in this county, and it’s horrible to see that we have this tragedy going right now,” Aldridge said.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said at the news conference that Sayer was a “fan of social media involving Columbine-type shootings” and that he “had unfortunately made a deep dive into that social media community.”

Two additional firearms were found in Sayer’s vehicle parked outside the library, police said. They said he fired about eight rounds from a shotgun.

The shooting was described as an isolated event.

The incident happened Monday afternoon in the Chico branch of the Butte County Library, in Northern California. Police responded to multiple 911 calls about 5:12 p.m. local time reporting “gunshots and screaming” from within the small library.

The police department said in the news release that “Sayer’s motivation appears to be founded in a desire to commit a Columbine High School massacre-type of shooting.”

Investigators have determined that he acted alone. The investigation continues.

“The incident this evening was obviously very sad, traumatic for a lot of people. Very traumatic for our community,” Aldridge, the police chief, said at a news conference.

He said the library was open at the time of the “active shooter incident,” in which the shooter used a single firearm.

As officers entered the building, “the suspect fled out of the back of the library,” Aldridge said, and was taken into custody without incident or shots fired. He added that multiple agencies were assisting with the investigation and urged the public to come forward with any information.

In a post on Facebook, the county offered “deepest condolences to everyone affected, including the victims, their loved ones, library staff, and all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident.”

It said all Butte County library branches would be closed Tuesday.

“Our hearts are with the Chico community tonight,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on X.

“We are grateful to law enforcement for their swift actions to secure the scene and take the suspect into custody,” he said. “No family should have to endure a tragedy like this.”