NorCal Library Shooter Wanted To Mimic Columbine: Police

CHICO, CA — A teenager was arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder after he opened fire in a library Monday evening in Chico, killing two and injuring a child, authorities said Tuesday.

The gunman was identified as Bradley Scott Sayer, 18, of Chico, according to police, who said he acted alone and has been booked into the Butte County Jail.

“There is no indication Sayer had any prior relationship with or connection to any of the victims in the library at the time of the shooting,” the Chico Police Department said in a social media post early Tuesday.

“Sayer’s motivation appears to be founded in a desire to commit a Columbine High School massacre type of shooting.”

Multiple 911 callers reported gunshots and screaming at 5:12 p.m. at the Butte County Library on East First Avenue, police said, adding officers arrived on the scene about six minutes later.

As officers entered the front doors of the library, the attacker exited out the back and was taken into custody, according to police.

The two people who were killed had not been identified by police as of midday Tuesday. The child was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.

Sayer is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Thursday. Police said the Butte County Sheriff's Office and the FBI are assisting in the investigation.

All Butte County library branches will be closed on Tuesday, officials said.

In a Facebook post, the county offered its “deepest condolences to everyone affected, including the victims, their loved ones, library staff, and all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.