An 18-year-old Northern California man has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting at a public library that left two people dead, authorities said. Police identified the suspect as Bradley Scott Sayer of Chico, who was taken into custody Monday evening following a shooting at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library. The incident prompted a large law enforcement response and left the community shaken.
According to Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge, officers responded shortly after 5 PM on Monday after receiving a 911 call from the library. Gunshots and screams could reportedly be heard during the call. As officers entered the building, the suspect fled through the back of the library but was apprehended by additional law enforcement personnel positioned outside.
“The incident this evening was obviously very sad, traumatic for a lot of people. Very traumatic for our community,” Aldridge said during a news conference.
Who Is Bradley Scott Sayer?
Authorities said Sayer was booked into the Butte County Jail on suspicion of two counts of murder. Investigators have stated there is no indication that he had any prior relationship with or connection to the victims. The names of the victims have not been released.
A dispatcher with the Chico Police Department said early Tuesday that it was not immediately known whether Sayer had legal representation. A search of Butte County court records reportedly did not show his name, and no phone number for him could be immediately located.
During the incident, a child also sustained a minor injury and was transported to a hospital.
Police later determined that Sayer acted alone. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI are assisting in the ongoing investigation.
Following the shooting, streets surrounding the library were temporarily closed and a family reunification center was established for those who had been inside the building. All Butte County library branches were closed Tuesday.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Butte County offered its “deepest condolences to everyone affected, including the victims, their loved ones, library staff, and all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident.”
Authorities have not yet released additional details about a possible motive as the investigation remains ongoing.