An 18-year-old gunman, who police say was inspired by the Columbine high school massacre, has been charged with first-degree murder after killing two people and injuring a child at a library in Butte County, California. The attack occurred on Monday afternoon at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library.
Police Chief Billy Aldridge said officers responded within four minutes of receiving 911 calls at 5.12pm, crediting the rapid response for preventing further casualties. The victims were identified as Robert Johnson, 74, of Orland, and Jacob Hull, 46, of Chico. A young girl who was with Hull sustained non-life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged from hospital.
According to FBI field agent Sid Patel, the suspect, Bradley Scott Sayer of Chico, conducted a walkthrough of the library before retrieving a shotgun from his car. He shot the first victim near the entrance, disabling him with a shot to the leg before fatally shooting him in the head. He then fired multiple shots inside the library, fatally shooting a second victim in the head.
Sayer was wearing a white T-shirt with the words 'natural selection' scrawled on it, an apparent homage to one of the Columbine shooters. Officials said his social media activity and interviews with detectives revealed a long-standing fascination with Columbine-type shootings. Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey stated, 'The suspect was a fan, and a fan for some time, of social media involving Columbine-type shootings.'
Sayer had graduated from Chico High School weeks earlier. His father, David Sayer, described him as shy and on the autism spectrum, saying there were 'zero' warning signs. The suspect is scheduled for arraignment on Thursday, facing two counts of first-degree murder and possible additional charges. Authorities are investigating how he obtained the shotgun and other firearms found in his car, which were registered to the family.
The Chico library branch will remain closed until renovations are complete, while other branches remain open with increased security. Chico, a college town of about 107,000 people, has experienced previous shootings, including one at an elementary school in 2024 where two kindergarteners were injured.
