California Shooting: Schoolteachers ‘Saved’ Children From Gunman

A gunman who killed four people on Tuesday in rural California fired into an elementary school but was stopped from entering by teachers, police say.

Staff at Rancho Tehama Reserve School went into lockdown, securing school doors after hearing nearby gunshots.

Authorities praised the teachers’ actions as “monumental” in saving “countless” lives.

Police confirmed one child was shot at the school after the gunman fired into it. Others were hurt by broken glass.

Police later confronted the gunman in a stolen vehicle, shooting and killing him. He was named locally as 43-year-old Kevin Neal.

It is believed the shooting spree began after a domestic row with the gunman’s neighbours in Rancho Tehama, a rural community about 120 miles (195km) from Sacramento, on Tuesday morning.

Police said they believed he went on a “bizarre and murderous rampage” after the dispute escalated and he killed a neighbour.

Officials confirmed the gunman had “prior contacts with law enforcement”.

The Tehama district attorney told the Sacramento Bee he was being prosecuted on charges relating to a stabbing and assault in January in an incident involving two of his neighbours.

‘This guy is crazy’

A semi-automatic rifle and two handguns were recovered from one of the crime scenes, police said. At least 10 people were injured in the shootings at multiple locations.

Police said he chose most of the victims at random, and reportedly shot into the school but became frustrated after the teachers’ locked the doors and left after six minutes.

It is believed the school was alerted after a mother was shot at in her car while driving her children to school. She was reportedly seriously wounded but not killed.

The child who was shot has undergone surgery after being struck in the leg and chest, reports say. Other children at the school were reportedly injured by broken glass, and some were evacuated from the school and transported to hospital by helicopter.

“This individual shooter was bent on engaging and killing people at random. I have to say this incident, as tragic and as bad as it is, could have been so much worse,” Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston said.

Brian Flint said his neighbour “has been shooting a lot of bullets lately, hundreds of rounds, large magazines”.

“We made it aware [to police] that this guy is crazy and he’s been threatening us,” he told the newspaper.

She said Neal was in a long-running dispute with neighbours who he believed were cooking methamphetamine.

She added that Neal, who was raised in North Carolina, had been working as a cannabis farmer and had recently married his longtime girlfriend.

His sister, Sheridan Door, told the Associated Press that she believed her brother was addicted to drugs, and had struggled with mental illness and a violent temper.

“We’re stunned and we’re appalled that this is a person who has no business with firearms whatsoever,” Ms Orr said.

She added that she hopes this attack will “make people realise there must be some gates on people like this from getting guns”.

“This is the same story we’re hearing more and more.”

Police have refused to officially confirm the gunman’s identity until all his next-of-kin are notified.

California Governor Jerry Brown issued a statement saying he and his wife were “saddened to hear about today’s violence in Tehama County.

“We offer our condolences to the families who lost loved ones and unite with all Californians in grief.”

Vice President Mike Pence wrote on Twitter: “Saddened to hear of the shooting in N. California, the loss of life & injuries, including innocent children.

“We commend the effort of courageous law enforcement. We’ll continue to monitor the situation & provide federal support, as we pray for comfort & healing for all impacted.”

Source: BBC