President Joseph Biden pledged the full support of the federal government to local officials and the community at large in the aftermath of a mass shooting on Monday that left seven people dead and one wounded at two farms in Half Moon Bay.
In an announcement issued Tuesday from the White House at 4:43 a.m. Pacific Time, the president said he and his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, were praying for the dead and injured.
"For the second time in recent days, California communities are mourning the loss of loved ones in a senseless act of gun violence," Biden said in the announcement. "Following a briefing by my homeland security team, I have directed my administration to ensure that local law enforcement and the broader Half Moon Bay community have the full support of the federal government in the wake of this heinous attack."
The suspected shooter, Chunli Zhao, 67, was located in his vehicle in the parking lot of a police substation in Half Moon Bay at 4:40 p.m. Monday and was arrested without incident, according to the County Sheriff's Office. of San Mateo.
At a news conference Monday night, Sheriff Christina Corpus said a semi-automatic handgun was also found with the suspect.
Authorities allege Zhao acted alone and have not yet determined a motive, though Corpus said he is believed to be a worker at at least one of the farms where the shootings occurred.
Biden also noted in the announcement that a federal ban on assault weapons was reintroduced in Congress on Monday.
"Even as we await more details on these shootings, we know that the scourge of gun violence across America requires stronger action," he noted in the announcement. "Once again, I urge both houses of Congress to act quickly and deliver this Assault Weapons Ban to my desk, and take steps to keep American communities, schools, workplaces and homes safe."
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