A father on a supervised visit with his three children at a California church shot them dead and killed a fourth person before turning the gun on himself, police said.
The horrific scene unfolded just after 5 p.m. Monday at The Church in Sacramento. A church worker on the roof heard the shots and summoned police.
Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones confirmed that the children’s mother had taken out a restraining order against him though he could offer few other details at the scene.
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“It’s very upsetting. There are a lot of ways this could have unfolded. And obviously it’s a tragedy, no matter how it unfolds,” Jones told reporters.
“There is just no explanation of how these violent domestic relationships go bad, especially when the victim appears to do everything right and reach out for help.”
All five victims were confirmed dead on the scene, the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District said. The children were all under the age of 15.
The shooter has not yet been named by the authorities, and the relationship of the fourth victim to the family was not immediately clear, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Rod Grassman.
The mother of the three children was “out of town” at the time of the shooting, according to Jones.
Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted out his condolences.
“Another senseless act of gun violence in America—this time in our backyard. In a church with kids inside. Absolutely devastating. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and their communities,” he said.
