4 killed in California office shooting

Four people, including a child, were killed in a shooting on Wednesday in Southern California, according to police.

The Orange Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a call of gunshots being fired at approximately 5:30 p.m. at a local office building.

Lt. Jennifer Amat told reporters that the shooting was still active when officers arrived at the scene, adding that an “officer-involved” shooting occurred at the building after officers arrived.

She did not state whether the shooting involved multiple officers, the suspected shooter, who was identified by police at the scene, or the victims.

“It’s just such a tragedy for the victims, their families, our community and our police department,” Amat said.

The suspected shooter and one other woman were hospitalized following the incident, according to Amat. Both the suspect and the woman were in critical condition as of Wednesday night. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called the shooting “horrifying and heartbreaking.” 

“Our hearts are with the families impacted by this terrible tragedy tonight,” he tweeted.

Horrifying and heartbreaking. Our hearts are with the families impacted by this terrible tragedy tonight. https://t.co/nw3On2RJH2

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 1, 2021

Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), whose district includes the city of Orange, tweeted that she was “continuing to keep victims and their loved ones in my thoughts as we continue to learn more.”

I’m deeply saddened by reports of a mass shooting in Orange County, and I’m continuing to keep victims and their loved ones in my thoughts as we continue to learn more. My team and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. https://t.co/e736MgqCQe

— Rep. Katie Porter (@RepKatiePorter) April 1, 2021

The city of Orange is approximately 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Amat said the Wednesday incident is the deadliest shooting the city has seen since 1997, when a gunman killed four people and wounded others, including a police officer, at a California Department of Transportation maintenance yard.

The Wednesday shooting comes as the nation reels from several mass shootings in recent weeks.

A gunman in Boulder, Colo., shot and killed 10 people at an area grocery store last week. 

A shooter in the Atlanta area last month killed eight people, six of whom were Asian women, at several massage parlors.