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

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

Last Updated: January 24, 2023, 7:53 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 24, 2023, 2:04 AM EST

Farm principal says alleged gunman unfamiliar

Aaron Tung, principal at Concord Farms, one of the locations where the shooting took place, said the company wanted to thank the community for the "outpouring of thoughts and support."

"We thank law enforcement for their swift response and actions. Concord Farms is a family owned and operated mushroom farm at this location for 37 years," he said in a statement.

A view of greenhouses at the scene of a shooting on Jan. 23, 2023 in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Tung added, "With no past knowledge with this gunman or his motives, we are shook and very eager to gain more information from the authorities and their investigations. Our hearts are with the victims, their families and the Chinese American community—from Half Moon Bay to Monterey Park."

-ABC News' Abigail Shalawylo

Jan 23, 2023, 11:01 PM EST

Semi-automatic handgun found in suspect's car: Sheriff

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said a semi-automatic handgun was found in the suspect's car.

Law enforcement officials look into a vehicle parked in the area where a shooting suspect's vehicle was found Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Jeff Chiu/AP

The suspect, 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, is cooperating and being interviewed, the sheriff said.

Zhao is believed to have acted alone, Corpus said.

-ABC News' Marilyn Heck and Abigail Shalawylo

Jan 23, 2023, 10:53 PM EST

'Our hearts are broken': San Mateo County official

The gun violence in the U.S. is at "completely unacceptable levels," and it "really hit home tonight," San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine said Monday. "Our hearts are broken."

"But in the end, there are simply too many guns in this country," Pine said. "And there has to be a change. This is not an acceptable way for modern society to live its conduct its affairs."

-ABC News' Marilyn Heck and Abigail Shalawylo

Jan 23, 2023, 10:37 PM EST

Shooting took place at 2 separate nurseries, victims thought to be workers: Sheriff

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said the department was dispatched at 2:22 p.m. local time with reports of a shooting in unincorporated San Mateo County with multiple victims.

At the first location, four people were found dead with gunshot wounds and a fifth person was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition, Corpus said during a press briefing Monday.

A Highway Patrol car is seen at the scene of a shooting at Cabrillo Highway in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023.
Susana Bates/AFP via Getty Images

Shortly afterward, three additional victims were found dead at a separate location about a mile away, the sheriff said.

Both locations are nurseries, large rural properties, and some people live on site; children witnessed the shooting, Corpus said. The victims are thought to be workers.

PHOTO: Police tape is placed near the scene of a shooting, Jan. 23, 2023, in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Police tape is placed near the scene of a shooting, Jan. 23, 2023, in Half Moon Bay, Calif. Multiple people were killed in two related shootings Monday at a mushroom farm and a trucking firm in a coastal community south of San Francisco, and officials say a suspect is in custody.
Jeff Chiu/AP

The suspect is thought to be a farm worker, Corpus said.

The motive and the relationship between the victims and the suspect are unknown at this time. The suspect is cooperating and being interviewed, Corpus said.

-ABC News' Marilyn Heck