Half Moon Bay mass shooting updates: Workplace violence believed to be motive

A 67-year-old suspect is in custody, authorities said.

ByMelissa Gaffney, Kevin Shalvey, Morgan Winsor, and Emily Shapiro
Last Updated: January 24, 2023, 8:24 AM EST

Seven people were killed on Monday in a mass shooting at two locations in Half Moon Bay, California, authorities said.

One person was also taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

The suspect, 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, is in custody. Workplace violence is believed to be the motive, authorities said.

This is the state's second mass shooting in three days.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Jan 23, 2023, 10:11 PM EST

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office identifies suspect

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office has identified the suspect as 67-year-old Half Moon Bay resident Chunli Zhao.

This undated photo provided by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department shows Chunli Zhao.
San Mateo Sheriffs Department via AP

The sheriff's office located his vehicle at 4:40 p.m. local time in the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Office Half Moon Bay Police Substation, the department said in a press release.

A suspect, Chunli Zhao, is arrested by law enforcement personnel after a mass shooting at two locations in the coastal northern California city of Half Moon Bay, California, Jan. 23, 2023 in a still image from video.
ABC News Affiliate KGO via Reuters

Zhao was taken into custody without incident, the sheriff's office said, adding that he is believed to have acted alone.

Police officers detain a man, believed by law enforcement to be the Half Moon Bay mass shooting suspect, in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023, in this screengrab taken from a social media video.
Kati McHugh via Reuters

A weapon was found in his vehicle, authorities said.

-ABC News' Alex Stone and Marilyn Heck

Jan 23, 2023, 9:35 PM EST

Biden has been briefed on San Mateo County shooting, White House says

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the mass shooting in San Mateo County, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted Monday night.

"He has asked federal law enforcement to provide any necessary assistance to the local authorities. As more details become available, the President will be updated," she wrote.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

Jan 23, 2023, 9:35 PM EST

Sheriff's office responded to shooting incident 'with multiple victims'

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office tweeted that it responded to a shooting incident "with multiple victims in the area of HWY 92 and the HMB [Half Moon Bay] City limits," later adding that a suspect is in custody and there is "no ongoing threat to the community at this time."