Taiwan's President Condemns Politically Motivated OC Shooting

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Taiwan's president spoke out Monday against a violent shooting that unfolded at a Taiwanese church in Orange County that left one dead on Sunday.

President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted: "Violence is never the answer," as her office also issued a statement condemning "any form of violence."

The Laguna Woods shooting suspect David Chou, 68, reportedly had ties to a Chinese backed organization that was against Taiwan's independence, according to media reports.

Chou, a Chinese immigrant, had no connection to the largely Taiwanese congregation or anyone in it and was motivated by political tensions between China and Taiwan, Barnes said at a news conference Monday.

Tensions between China and Taiwan are at the highest in decades as China continues to claim the self-ruled Taiwan. China's President Xi Jinping has said "reunification" with Taiwan "must be fulfilled," BBC News reported.

Chou was charged with one felony count of murder with a gun and five felony counts of attempted murder in the incident, Scott Steinle, public information officer for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, told Patch.

Chou was accused of opening fire inside Geneva Presbyterian Church, 24301 El Toro Road on Sunday afternoon

Dr. John Cheng, 52, a Laguna Niguel resident and physician with South Bay Medical Group in Aliso Viejo, was killed when he charged the gunman and attempted to disarm him, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said. Cheng is survived by a wife, who was not identified, and two children.

"I want to convey my sincere condolences on the death of Dr. John Cheng & my hopes for a prompt recovery for those injured in the shooting at the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in California. Violence is never the answer," Ing-wen tweeted.

The five injured residents were in stable condition, authorities said Monday. The Orange County Sheriff's department described the five wounded victims as follows.

• A 66-year-old Asian man.
• A 92-year-old Asian man.
• An 82-year-old Asian man.
• A 75-year-old Asian man.
• An 86-year-old Asian woman.

Chou was accused of walking into the church as the congregation was holding a post-service banquet to honor a visiting pastor, authorities said.

Chou was accused of barricading the doors so those inside could not escape, mingling with parishioners and eventually opening fire, authorities said.
The congregation gathered in "a large room with a big stage and a big black curtain, and it had about 10 tables set up," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a news conference Monday at Geneva Presbyterian Church."There were red Solo Cups on the table, and you could tell that havoc had been created in that space."

At 8 p.m. Tuesday, Orange County faith leaders — including Buddhist monks and Catholic priests — will hold a candlelight vigil to mark the 1 million lives lost in the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the victims of the shootings in Buffalo and Laguna Woods.

Hundreds of lit candles will surround banners marking the solemn milestone, and rare antique Dong Son bronze drums dating as far back as 600 BC will be displayed. The vigil will be held at Viet Heritage House & Garden, 2221 N. Heliotrope.

READ MORE: OC Church Shooting Motivated By 'Hatred,' Explosives Found