Seven Chinese farmworkers shot dead in Bay area – less than 48 hours after Lunar New Year shooting

Zhao Chunli, 67, was taken into custody on Monday accused of murdering seven farm workers in the Half Moon Bay area

Seven Chinese farm workers have been shot and killed in the San Francisco Bay area, with the 67-year-old suspect, Zhao Chunli, arrested shortly after.

The shootings took place at two separate locations in Half Moon Bay, with four shot at a farm ran by Mountain Mushroom Farm & Rice Trucking, and three at a trucking company two miles away.

Dramatic footage from ABC News shows the moment Zhao was taken into custody, in a house estate in San Mateo County.

The killings come less than 48 hours after 72-year-old Huu Can Tran shot and killed 11 people celebrating Lunar New Year in Monterey Park, near Los Angeles. 

Zhao Chunli, 67, is pictured on Monday afternoon as he is arrested by San Mateo County officials

Police in the Half Moon Bay area are seen approaching the suspected killer on Monday afternoon

They grab Zhao by the hand, and wrestle him to the ground

Zhao is seen being restrained and searched, before he is handcuffed and put in the police car

The sheriff’s office confirmed they have the suspect in custody.

‘There is no ongoing threat to the community at this time,’ they said in a tweet just before 5pm. 

Half Moon Bay is a small community of 12,000 people in the Bay Area’s Peninsula. The city sits less than 30 miles outside of San Francisco.

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, tweeted: ‘At the hospital meeting with victims of a mass shooting when I get pulled away to be briefed about another shooting. This time in Half Moon Bay. 

‘Tragedy upon tragedy.’ 

Marc Berman, a congressman whose district includes Half Moon Bay, tweeted: ‘Two hours ago I joined my colleagues on the Capitol steps for a vigil for the victims of the shooting in Monterey Park. 

‘Before we’ve even had a chance to mourn them, there is yet another mass shooting – this time in Half Moon Bay. In my district.’

He added: ‘We MUST do more to address the epidemic of gun violence in our communities and across America. 

‘How many more lives will be senselessly cut short today? Tomorrow? This year?’

Jackie Spier, a congresswoman who represented Half Moon Bay until the beginning of this year, demanded more be done to address gun violence.

‘A mass shooting has now hit my beloved community of Half Moon Bay, one of the last places one would expect such a abominable act. We celebrate pumpkin festivals and holiday parades there. 

‘When will Congress have the guts to really DO something about gun violence?’