Baltimore, Md., Nov 14, 2017 / 14:54 pm
Notifying his fellow bishops of "a terrible shooting" in his diocese, Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento led them in prayer for the victims during the U.S. bishops' general assembly in Baltimore on Tuesday.
"I would ask if we could take a moment to ask God's mercy not only on those affected by this [incident], but on all affected by gun violence in these times. Let us ask for Mary's intercession for these people," he said Nov. 14, leading those gathered in the Hail Mary.
"Mary, mother of Mercy and Queen of Peace, pray for us," he added.
Minutes after learning about the shooting in Northern California, Sacramento's @bishopsoto led his brother bishops in a prayer for all victims of gun violence. #USCCB17 pic.twitter.com/5YiFaIN5X3
- US Catholic Bishops (@USCCB) November 14, 2017
The New York Times reports that at least four people were killed at several sites in and around Ranch Tehema Reserve, a small community located about 130 miles northwest of Sacramento. Several more people were wounded, including at an elementary school. No children were killed, according to police. The gunman has been shot and killed by police, authorities said.
A sheriff's office official told reporters the shooter was armed with a semiautomatic rifle and two handguns, and neighbors had reported his involvement in a domestic violence incident.