On Sunday, a shooter opened fire on a Taiwanese church congregation in Southern California, killing one individual and injuring five others.

At 1:26 p.m., a shooting happened inside the Geneva Presbyterian Church on the 24000 block of El Toro Road in Laguna Woods. Authorities reported that the shooting occurred during a lunch banquet following a morning church service. A group of churchgoers "hog-tied" the shooter's leg with an extension cord and seized his two firearms.

According to the Sheriff's Department, the suspect was detained, and two commercially accessible firearms were recovered at the crime site. Four of the five injured had critical injuries, according to officials.

"That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe to be exceptional bravery and heroism," said Undersheriff Jeff Hallock, adding, "It's safe to say that if they hadn't intervened, the situation would have been much worse."

Authorities are interviewing around thirty individuals inside the church at the time of the shooting. According to officials, the victims were characterized as predominantly Asian and predominantly of Taiwanese ethnicity. The oldest victim was 92 years old.

A law enforcement source stated that they believe the suspect to be a 68-year-old Asian guy from Las Vegas. Officials noted that the culprit is likely not local. No other information was available.

According to its website, the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church often has services in Geneva at 10 a.m.

Tom Cramer, leader of the Presbytery of Los Ranchos and previous pastor of the Geneva Presbyterian Church, stated that the shooting occurred during a lunch reception honoring the former pastor of the Taiwanese church, who is returning to Taiwan to serve a congregation there. Cramer was unaware of whether the pastor was injured in the shooting.

Cramer stated that the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church had held services in Geneva for ten years.

"They are Christ's sisters and brothers. They have been our close pals," he remarked. We are surprised that something like this could occur.

The church has been highly involved with the Taiwanese community in Laguna Woods by hosting weekly educational seminars and workshops. He stated that it is one of the largest Taiwanese churches in the city.

"Churches are intended to be safe havens from hatred and violence," said Todd Spitzer, district attorney of Orange County. This afternoon, a gunman unleashed unimaginable brutality in a place of worship, shattering the peace.

Spitzer stated that his office collaborates with local and federal law enforcement authorities "to ensure the responsible party is brought to justice." Prosecutors for homicide are on the site.

Spitzer stated, "As we mourn the tragic loss of life, we are grateful to the first responders who rushed in to save countless more lives."

The violence shook the residents of the South Orange County area. Police blocked off El Toro Road, and emergency vehicles were queued up in front of the church.

Across the street from the church, Patricia Wallace, 61, was inside her apartment when she heard helicopters circling above her complex. The native of Orange County was astounded that the violence occurred in Laguna Woods, a city populated primarily by senior citizens.

She stated, "Society is simply disintegrating at this moment." It's simply tragic.

Randy Hall of Los Angeles was visiting a cousin in Orange County when they learned that a friend had attended services at Geneva before the shooting. Hall's phone rang with the news that churchgoers were preparing food baskets for victims' families. Others solicited cash and prayed for the faithful.

Hall stated, "We were on our way to the beach," while police helicopters buzzed above. Now we are on our way to get sympathy flowers.

In a strip mall across the street from the church, coffee shop guests walked to the corner of the road to learn more about the shooting from residents. A teacher requested Subway foot-long sandwiches for law officers at the cordoned-off scene. "In a crisis, you form a temporary community," Anaheim resident Sandi Pine told other café patrons as she read a news article about the tragedy.

65-year-old Cindy Frazier was out running errands when she heard the loud wail of police and fire engine sirens as they raced to Geneva Presbyterian Church.

The homeowner of Laguna Woods stated of the emergency response, "I thought it was the fire rekindling, but it was just one after another." "It is truly heartbreaking. Why? Why do we live here?"

The Orange County Fire Authority reported that it was treating victims and transporting them to hospitals.

The FBI will help the Orange County Sheriff's Department at the crime scene, according to officials.

According to the sheriff, all victims were adults, and the motive was obscure.