Two killed in Chico library shooting, suspect arrested

A gunman opened fire inside a Northern California library Monday evening, killing two adults and injuring a child before police arrested an 18-year-old suspect who authorities said appeared intent on carrying out a “Columbine High School massacre type of shooting.”

Chico police identified the suspect Tuesday as Bradley Scott Sayer, a Chico resident. He was booked into the Butte County Jail on two open counts of murder, police said.

The shooting unfolded at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library, at Sherman and East 1st avenues, while the building was open. Police said dispatchers began receiving multiple 911 calls at 5:12 p.m. reporting an active shooter inside the library.

“We had an open 911 line [and] you could hear gunshots and people screaming,” Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge said at a Monday news conference.

Officers arrived about six minutes later and entered the building, police said. As they moved inside, the suspect ran out the back of the library, where officers positioned along a perimeter took him into custody without incident. No officers fired their weapons, and no officers were injured.

Authorities said two adults were killed. Their names have not been released. A child suffered a minor injury, officials said.

Police said investigators believe Sayer acted alone. A single firearm was recovered. The department said there was “no indication Sayer had any prior relationship with or connection to any of the victims in the library at the time of the shooting.”

Police said Sayer’s apparent motivation was to conduct a “Columbine High School massacre type of shooting,” a reference to the 1999 school attack in Colorado that killed 13 students and one teacher. Authorities did not explain how they reached that conclusion, The Guardian reported.

Video captured by a bystander on a bus showed police stationed in front of the library and running toward the building carrying long guns, The Guardian reported.

East 1st Avenue was closed between Sheridan and Arbutus avenues for an extended period after the shooting. The Chico Police Department is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.

The Butte County Library said all branches would be closed Tuesday.

“We are aware of the tragic incident that occurred 6/22/2026 at the Chico Branch of the Butte County Library and extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected, including the victims, their loved ones, library staff, and all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident,” the library said in a statement.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state’s “hearts are with the Chico community tonight.”

“We are grateful to law enforcement for their swift actions to secure the scene and take the suspect into custody,” Newsom said. “No family should have to endure a tragedy like this.”

Rep. James Gallagher, a Republican from East Nicolaus, said he was “heartbroken by this senseless violence” and thanked first responders who “responded quickly to protect our community.”

“Chico is strong, and we will stand together in the days ahead,” Gallagher said.

State Sen. Megan Dahle, who represents Chico, called the shooting “stunning and heartbreaking.”

“The library is a safe and quiet place for families of all kinds, a place to enjoy storytime or pick up a book for summer reading,” Dahle said. “We don’t know the facts yet, but nothing like this should happen to families anywhere – and certainly not at this place of wholesome joy. My prayers go out to all who had to suffer this horror.”

Chico is a college town about 90 miles from the state capital in Butte County and has about 107,000 residents, according to The Guardian. Police were expected to provide another update Tuesday afternoon.