A man shot and killed his three daughters, their chaperone, then himself in a Sacramento, Ca., church, the Associated Press reports. The shooting, which occurred during a supervised visit, took place at around 5 p.m. and was reported by an employee who heard gunshots. The victims were aged 9, 10, and 13. Their mother was estranged from their 39-year-old father and had a restraining order against him, according to Sheriff Scott Jones.
The incident is being investigated as domestic violence. Jones said the mother had a temporary restraining order against the father. That temporary restraining order should have prevented him from having a firearm, according to a domestic violence expert, the Sacramento Bee reports. California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the episode Another senseless act of gun violence in America — this time in our backyard. In a church with kids inside. Absolutely devastating.”