A person shot and killed his three daughters and their chaperone earlier than he turned the gun on himself at a church in Sacramento, authorities mentioned.

The taking pictures occurred at The Church in Sacramento within the Arden-Arcade neighborhood, the place the suspect opened fireplace in the primary sanctuary space simply after 5 p.m., Sacramento County Sheriff's Workplace spokesperson Sgt. Rod Grassmann mentioned throughout a information convention. A employee on the church on the time heard the gunshots and known as 911, Grassmann mentioned.

The gunman was recognized as David Fidel Mora-Rojas, in line with ABC Information.

Sheriff Scott Jones mentioned the taking pictures is believed to have occurred throughout a supervised go to between the person and his youngsters, who had been 9, 10 and 13.

A Sacramento County Sheriff's deputy
A Sacramento County Sheriff's deputy places up police tape that blocks the road resulting in a church the place a deadly taking pictures occurred with a number of victims, in Sacramento, Calif., late Monday, February 28, 2022. Wealthy Pedroncelli/AP Photograph

The mom had a restraining order in opposition to the daddy, Jones advised reporters.

"That is, so far as I can see, at this level a domestic-violence-related type of incident," Grassmann advised reporters.

Jones additionally urged anybody in a "unstable" relationship to hunt assist.

"There's a number of ways in which this might have unfolded and clearly, it is a tragedy regardless of the way it unfolds," he mentioned. "There's simply no clarification of how these violence and home relationships go unhealthy, particularly when the sufferer seems to do every thing proper and attain out for assist.

"So I'd simply encourage any person who's in a unstable relationship, you may't absolutely comprehend what somebody is able to, however for those who really feel such as you're at risk, then get out and get some assist and discuss to somebody you belief."

It wasn't instantly clear how many individuals had been within the constructing on the time of the taking pictures. The church had been holding its weekly providers on-line due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in line with its web site.

Authorities mentioned they did not know if the household belonged to the church, which caters to English, Chinese language and Spanish audio system.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom mentioned in a tweet: "One other mindless act of gun violence in America—this time in our yard. In a church with youngsters inside. Completely devastating. Our hearts exit to the victims, their households and their communities."

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg described it as "an unspeakable tragedy."

"It occurs too usually, and tonight it occurred in our yard," he mentioned in a tweet on Monday night. "First ideas are with the victims and their households. Similar to the primary responders who need to confront such a horrible scene."

Replace 3/1/22, 3:05 a.m. ET: This text has been up to date with further info.

Anybody looking for assist ought to name The Nationwide Home Violence Hotline, a free and confidential hotline obtainable 24/7 that may be reached on 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224. The Hotline additionally offers info on native sources. For extra info go to https://www.thehotline.org/.