California's second mass shooting targets farm workers

SCREEN CAPTURE

Zhao Chunli, the suspected gunman in the Half Moon Bay shootings, was taken into custody. 

UPDATED, 2:15 a.m., Jan. 25 with more details

Still reeling from the mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, where 11 people were killed, when Asian Americans received another punch in the gut with a second mass shooting in Half Moon Bay in northern California Monday morning.

Seven people, who news reports identified as Asian American and Latino agricultural workers, were killed and one critically wounded in a shooting spree at two separate mushroom farms.

Deputies were dispatched to the Magic Mushroom Farm at 2:22 p.m. Monday and found four people dead from gunshot wounds as well as another person with life-threatening injuries. 

Deputies then discovered three more bodies at a separate scene about a mile away. San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpuz. She told reporters they were both nurseries.

The suspected shooter then drove himself to the Sheriff's substation where he turned himself in. Police handcuffed him in the parking lot without incident and was taken indoors. He was identified as 67-year old Zhao Chunli, said Corpuz at a press conference.

"We can tell you we know he acted alone at this time. And we are working with our district attorney's office at this time to interview the suspect. And as soon we have further updates, we will be able to provide them to you," added Corpuz.

Zhao apparently worked and lived at the Magic Mushroom farm for several years. Authorities are categorizing the incident as a case of "workplace violence."

No possible motive for the deadly act was cited. Victims were not identified until family members could be notified. Some of the slain victims are migrant workers and family might not be in the United States.

"There is no ongoing threat to the community at this time," authorities tweeted Monday afternoon.

The Half Moon Bay shooting occurred two days after a shooting spree in Monterey Park that thus far has claimed the lives of 11 lives at a dance studio attending a Lunar New Year's celebration.

The motive for the Monterey Park may never be known. The suspected gunman in that incident, 72-year old Huu Can Tran, was found dead Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot.

Asian Americans across the nation, already feeling vulnerable because of the surge of anti-Asian attacks for the past two years, were further rocked by the shootings in California.

"We are incredibly saddened by yet another mass shooting affecting Asian American communities so soon after the Lunar New Year attack in Monterey Park this past weekend," said Margaret Fung, executive director of Asian Americans Legal Education Fund. "Guns have become far too prevalent and and mass shootings have become all too common in America. Our hearts are with the families of the slain victims and with the community of Half Moon Bay.” 

"My heart is broken by the tragedy in #MontereyPark & it is now completely shattered by the tragedy in #HalfMoonBay. I am in touch w/ local leaders standing by w/offers of support," tweeted Cynthia Choi, one of the founders of Stop AAPI Hate. "We need to make sure those impacted receive holistic support."

Mental health experts say that hate crimes affect everyone and the emotions shouldn't be pushed under the rug. They encourage people to seek counseling for support.

"This is an enormous tragedy. When any of us think of Half Moon Bay, it's always a happy, pleasant thought. It's the home of the pumpkin festival. It's the Mavericks surfing competition. But today it's murder. Seven precious lives lost," Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, said in an interview with CBS News Bay Area.

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