4 dead, several injured in 'random' shootings in California

RED BLUFF, Calif. — Four people were killed and 10 more were wounded in a series of shootings this morning in rural Northern California. The shootings took place in seven locations, including an elementary school, police said, but no children were killed. The male suspect was killed by police, but his motive is unknown, according to authorities.

Ten people were hospitalized, including at least two children, police said.

One student was shot at the Rancho Tehama School, an elementary school in Corning, about 130 miles north of Sacramento, police said.

Coy Ferreira told ABC Redding, California, affiliate KRCR-TV he was dropping his daughter off for kindergarten when he heard what sounded like a firecracker. A school employee ran out and yelled for the children to get inside, Ferreira said. That’s when he ran into a classroom and multiple shots came through the classroom windows, hitting a student, he said.

The other injured child was shot while sitting in a truck when the shooter drove by, police said.

Police said the motive is unknown and that the shooter appeared to randomly pick his targets. Authorities said the suspect did not appear to have a connection to any of the victims. But the shooter appeared to directly target the Rancho Tehama School and shot into the school multiple times, according to police.

Authorities said the shooting started with random shots fired into residences. The suspect then allegedly stole a car and started opening fire through the community, police said.

The suspect allegedly crashed the stolen car, robbed someone and took a second vehicle, authorities said.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Alleged drunken driver clocked going 155 mph in McLaren on Ga. 400
• Police search for persons of interest in concert double murder
• Family, friends 'baffled' by Georgia Tech student's death

At some point, a woman taking children to school passed the suspect, and he allegedly opened fire on them, police said. The woman suffered life-threatening wounds and the child in the back seat sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The suspect, who was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and two handguns, engaged two officers and they returned fire, killing the suspect at the scene, according to police.

Authorities said they are aware of a domestic violence incident involving the suspect, adding that he had prior contact with law enforcement and apparently had a history of neighborhood disputes.

About 100 students attend Rancho Tehama School, which was placed on lockdown following the incident, according to Ann Bates, administrative assistant to the superintendent of the Corning Union Elementary School District.

The children have since been reunited with their families, police said.

Cox Media Group