Dr. John Cheng, a 52-year-old doctor who was killed throughout a mass taking pictures at a California church this weekend, tried to disarm the alleged gunman by charging towards him and permitting others to flee the scene.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Cheng’s id on Monday, and lauded his efforts as being heroic. Five different folks have been injured within the taking pictures when 68-year-old David Wenwei Chou allegedly entered a Sunday gathering on the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods and opened fireplace.
The taking pictures is now being investigated by a police as a “politically motivated hate incident,” stemming from tensions between China and Taiwan. Chou, a U.S. citizen born in China, is believed to have focused the church as a result of it was holding a luncheon on behalf of a neighborhood Taiwanese congregation, police mentioned Monday.
Many of these in attendance have been of Taiwanese descent, and several other people have been aged. Police mentioned Cheng heroically tried to thwart Chou with a purpose to assist the extra susceptible churchgoers escape.
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“Dr. Cheng, understanding that there were elderly [people] everywhere and they couldn’t get out of the premises because the doors had been chained after others had been shot, he took it upon himself to charge across the room and to do everything he could to disable the assailant,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer mentioned throughout a press convention Monday, in accordance with Fox 11.
“He sacrificed himself so that others could live. That irony in a church is not lost on me,” he added.
The sheriff’s division additionally famous that “without the actions of Dr. Cheng, there is no doubt there would be numerous other deaths,” NBC Los Angeles reported. Cheng leaves behind a spouse and two youngsters, in accordance with police.
In addition to Cheng’s efforts, members of the church have been capable of detain Chou and “hog-tie” his legs with an extension twine. When police arrived on the scene on Sunday, not less than two of Chou’s weapons had already been confiscated.
“That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery in intervening to stop the suspect. They undoubtedly prevented additional injuries and fatalities,” police mentioned on Sunday.
Each of the opposite victims who have been injured within the taking pictures have been of Asian descent and ranged in age from 66 to 92 years outdated, in accordance with police. Authorities don’t imagine Chou had any earlier ties to the church or its congregants, however famous that issues may change because the investigation continues.
Tensions between Taiwan and China have risen all through the previous a number of months. Taiwan views itself as an impartial nation, however China insists it’s a part of its personal territory.