Police: Northern California library shooter influenced by Columbine massacre

An 18-year-old Chico man was arrested this morning for two counts of murder after two people were shot dead Monday afternoon at the Chico library.

Investigators with the Chico Police Department and Butte County District Attorney’s Office released information Tuesday at Chico’s municipal center about the suspected shooter, identified as Bradley Scott Sayer, 18. He has been arrested and booked into the Butte County Jail.

Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge said that the suspect in Monday’s shooting at the Chico library that killed two people and injured one was “influenced by the Columbine High School shooting back in 1999.”

“Obviously this is a very sad day for us in this community. This community has had things that happened, not only in Chico but in Butte County,” Aldridge said.

Aldridge said the two people who died from gunshot wounds Tuesday were identified as Robert Johnson, 74, and Jacob Hull, 46. A girl who was with Hull at the time of the shooting was injured by a piece of glass. She was transported to a hospital and has since been released, he said.

Motive

Sayer’s motivation “appears to be founded in a desire to commit a Columbine High School massacre type shooting,” according to the release, which was issued by Lt. Ben Love at 4:32 a.m.

According to the release, “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 investigation, handled by Chico police in partnership with investigators from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has determined Sayer acted alone, according to the release. Investigators are continuing to conduct interviews and collect evidence.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told the Butte County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that a total of 35 officers from the BCSO, and he said more than 100 law enforcement personnel in total were at the scene.

Chico Chief of Police Billy Aldridge said Monday night a call came in at 5:12 p.m. with the reporting party saying shots were fired inside the library, which was later confirmed. The gunshots could also be heard during the call, along with screaming.

At about 9 p.m. on Monday, Chico police said in a press release that its officers had arrived on the scene at about 5:18 p.m. and made entry into the library through the front doors shortly thereafter.

Aldridge said the suspect attempted to escape from the back of the library, but was ultimately apprehended without any shots fired between the suspect and officers at the scene.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey told the Butte County Board of Supervisors that the library staff helped a lot during the shooting, and he said they helped save lives.

“They heard the shots, they even saw what was going on, and they shepherded children and patrons into safe places and locked doors,” Ramsey said.

Chico is located about 90 miles north of Sacramento.