California Church Leaders, Shooting Survivors Join in Prayer

By AMY TAXIN, Related Press

LAGUNA WOODS, Calif. (AP) — When a gunman started capturing at a Taiwanese American church luncheon, Shoei Su stated he froze.

The retired appraiser makes use of a walker and stated he and lots of the aged congregants did not instantly know what was occurring. He stated the shooter stated nothing earlier than firing on churchgoers who have been snapping photographs after ending lunch following final Sunday morning’s prayer service.

Practically per week later, Su stated he cannot sleep and is struggling to heal from the assault that killed one and wounded 5 within the close-knit congregation within the Southern California neighborhood of Laguna Woods, which is made up largely of retirees.

“At the moment, we weren’t afraid,” he stated. “Later, once we give it some thought, we’re afraid.”

His feedback got here as survivors, churchgoers and leaders from the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church joined in prayer Saturday and thanked neighborhood members for his or her assist at an occasion on the campus of Geneva Presbyterian Church, the place the Taiwanese congregation shares area.

Authorities say the gunman, David Chou, 68, of Las Vegas, was motivated by hatred of Taiwan, the place he was born and grew up after his household was compelled from mainland China when Communists took management. He had no connection to the church however spent about an hour with attendees apparently to achieve their belief so he might execute his plot, authorities stated.

Authorities stated Chou had two 9 mm handguns and three baggage containing 4 Molotov-cocktail-type incendiary gadgets and ammunition. They stated he chained doorways shut and glued locks earlier than he started capturing.

Dr. John Cheng, the 52-year-old son of a congregant, charged him and was shot. He died on the scene, however his fast motion disrupted the shooter, who was then hit by a chair thrown by the church’s former pastor, Billy Chang, and jumped on by a number of congregation members who used an extension twine to tie him up till police arrived.

Cheng was the one particular person killed. 5 others have been wounded, together with 4 males aged 66 to 92 and an 86-year-old lady.

The neighborhood continues to be reeling from the assault. At Saturday’s occasion, churchgoers bowed their heads in prayer and a number of other sobbed. Bouquets of sunflowers and roses have been laid out with notes studying “RIP Dr. Cheng.”

Pastor Albany Lee, the congregation’s chief who was away final Sunday, stated he remembers assembly with Cheng a couple of months in the past whereas visiting the household after Cheng’s father died. He stated Cheng, who did not normally attend the Taiwanese congregation however took his mom there final week, in his eyes is greater than a hero however one in every of two angels who, together with Chang, saved the neighborhood.

On Sunday, his congregation will resume its weekly prayer service. Safety can be tight and no media protection allowed on the Geneva campus.

Lee stated trauma specialists can be accessible to help the neighborhood for the subsequent few weeks and coming collectively for worship is essential, regardless of the ache many really feel.

“I feel that is a very powerful time that we have to come collectively as a religion neighborhood,” he stated. “We may also help one another.”

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