At least four people have been killed and others are being treated for gunshot wounds after a mass shooting at a popular biker bar in California’s Orange County.
The Orange County sheriff said those killed included the suspected gunman, with local TV station KCAL News reporting that the incident began with a domestic dispute between the gunman and his wife.
Local media reports described the shooter as a retired law enforcement officer.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was monitoring the shooting "and coordinating with local officials as more details become available," his office tweeted.
Cook’s Corner is a popular, longtime watering hole for the biker community in Southern California. Many motorcycle riders and enthusiasts gather there on weeknights and during the weekend for live music, open mic nights, or just a cold beer after a long ride.
Hours before the shooting, customers were stopping by for an afternoon drink and meal. Rows of motorcycles framed the gravel entrance as plaques described the storied history of the bar, built-in 1884.
The wife of the suspect shooter was among those who were killed in the shooting late Wednesday at Cook’s Corner in rural Trabuco Canyon in Orange County.
A law enforcement official, who was not authorized to speak due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, said the suspect was targeting his wife, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the New York Times.
The suspect, who was shot dead in a confrontation with the deputies, is said to be a retired police officer at an agency elsewhere in Southern California.
So far this year, the US has witnessed at least 465 mass shootings, according to the nonprofit group Gun Violence Archive.
The US crossed the 400-shooting mark in July, the earliest ever recorded in a year since 2013, it said.