Monday, officials reported that a Chinese-born immigrant with anti-Taiwan animosity locked the doors of a California church and buried firebombs before opening fire on a congregation of primarily elderly Taiwanese parishioners, killing a man who attacked him who may have saved scores of lives.

David Chou, 68, of Las Vegas, drove to Orange County on Saturday and attended a lunch hosted by Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church on Sunday. Authorities stated at a news conference that despite not knowing anyone at the event, the suspect spent an hour chatting with approximately 40 people before carrying out his plan.

He chained the doors and filled the keyholes with superglue. He had two 9mm handguns that had been legally acquired in Las Vegas several years prior, as well as three bags containing, among other things, four Molotov cocktail-style incendiary devices and additional ammo. 52-year-old Dr. John Cheng tackled the shooter in the ensuing confusion, allowing other parishioners to overpower him and bind him with extension cords.

Cheng was killed, and five individuals, the oldest 92 years old, were injured. As described by Sheriff Don Barnes, Cheng's bravery was "a confrontation between good and evil" that likely saved "several dozen" lives.

Chou was arrested on murder and attempted murder accusations and given a $1 million bail bond. Tuesday was his scheduled court appearance, and it was not immediately apparent whether he had a lawyer who could represent him. In addition, a federal inquiry into hate crimes is active.

According to officials, Chou formerly worked as a security guard in Las Vegas.

There were no initial reports on why Chou targeted the church in Laguna Woods, a picturesque coastal neighborhood populated primarily by retirees next to a significant gated community.

Barnes stated that the shooter, born in China and a U.S. citizen, had a grudge toward the Taiwanese population, the impetus for the attack. Even though Taiwan is a de facto sovereign nation with its military, democratically elected government, and constitution, the Chinese government claims the island as its own.

Barnes stated that Chou acted independently and was not a regular church visitor.

Barnes stated, "He is not believed to be affiliated with any particular church or religion, and to our knowledge, he has no direct ties to the church or any of its members."

According to a former neighbor, Chou's life fell apart after his wife left him. Chou was once the owner of the Las Vegas apartment complex where he resided until February, according to Balmore Orellana of The Associated Press. The four-unit property was sold for around $500,000 in October, according to public records.

Orellana stated that Chou's wife moved to Taiwan using selling proceeds.

According to a neighbor, Chou sustained a head injury and other significant injuries in an attack by a renter approximately five years before Orellana's arrival. More lately, his mental condition has deteriorated, and last summer, a gun was discharged inside Chou's apartment, with a bullet entering Orellana's flat. However, no one was injured, according to Orellana.

Monday, there was no quick availability of police reports regarding the attack and shooting.

Todd Spitzer, the district attorney for Orange County, stated that Chou's family was likely among those forcibly relocated from China to Taiwan after 1948. Documented in handwritten notes discovered by officials, Chou's animosity toward the island began when he felt mistreated while residing there.

The tensions between China and Taiwan are at their most significant level in decades, with Beijing increasing its military harassment by flying fighter jets toward the self-governing island. To bring the island under its control, the Chinese communist administration has not ruled out the use of force. In 1949, during a civil war, Taiwan separated from the mainland.

Bi-khim Hsiao, the chief representative of Taiwan in the United States, expressed condolences to the families via Twitter.

Hsiao stated on Sunday, "I share the grief of the victims' families and the Taiwanese American community, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded survivors."

The Chinese administration has denounced acts of violence, according to Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy who sent an email to the AP.

After Jerry Chen entered the church's fellowship hall kitchen at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, gunfire broke out at the California church.

Chen, 72, a longstanding member of the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, peered around the corner and observed other individuals shouting, running, and cowering beneath tables.

"I was aware that someone was firing," he stated. "I was pretty anxious, and I sprinted out the kitchen door to dial 911.

Samuel Nganga, a member of Geneva and the church's caretaker, stated that he was cleaning up in the kitchen when he heard gunfire. He and others escaped by crawling on their hands and knees.

According to the sheriff's department, among those wounded by gunfire were four males aged 66, 75, 82, and 92 and a woman aged 86. Four people were injured by gunfire. On Monday, authorities said that two of the wounded were in good health, two were in stable condition, and the fifth patient's condition was unknown.

Chen stated that a group of approximately 40 parishioners had gathered in the fellowship hall for a luncheon after the morning service to welcome their former pastor, Billy Chang, a beloved and respected member of the community who had served the church for twenty years. Two years ago, Chang relocated to Taiwan, and Chen stated that this was his first trip back to America.

He reported that everyone had just finished lunch and taken pictures with Chang when Chen entered the kitchen. He heard gunfire at that time.

Barnes reported that Cheng, a sports medicine doctor whose wife and two children survive, charged the shooter and sought to disarm him, allowing others to intercede. Chang struck the gunman with a chair before other parishioners subdued him.

"I will tell you that there was evil in that church," said Spitzer, adding that Chou had "an absolute prejudice" against Taiwan and its people.