Police responded to a 911 call shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library, where gunshots and screaming were heard, according to Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge. Officers entered the library, and the suspect fled out the back, where additional law enforcement took him into custody.
Victims and Injuries
Two people were killed in the shooting. A child was taken to the hospital with a minor injury. The names of the deceased have not been released pending notification of next of kin. Police believe the shooter acted alone and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities are investigating the motive, but no details on what prompted the shooting have been released. The suspect's name has not been disclosed. The streets around the library were temporarily closed, and a family reunification center was set up for those inside the building.
Community Response
Chief Aldridge described the incident as “very sad, traumatic for a lot of people. Very traumatic for our community.” Butte County offered “deepest condolences to everyone affected, including the victims, their loved ones, library staff, and all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident” in a Facebook post. All Butte County library branches will be closed on Tuesday.
