Two people were killed and a child was injured on Monday in a shooting at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library, police said.
Chico police identified the suspect as 18-year-old Bradley Scott Sayer of Chico; he was arrested and booked into the Butte County Jail on two open counts of murder, the department said.
Police said Sayer appeared intent on committing "a Columbine High School massacre type of shooting." Authorities did not explain how they came to that conclusion.
Dispatchers received multiple 911 calls beginning at 5:12 p.m., and "We had an open 911 line [and] you could hear gunshots and people screaming," Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge said; officers arrived six minutes later and entered the library, the department said.
As officers moved inside, the suspect ran out the back of the building and was taken into custody without incident by officers stationed along a perimeter, police said; a single firearm was recovered, and no officers fired their weapons or were injured, the department said.
Law enforcement confirmed the two fatalities were adults and said they had not released the victims' names; one child suffered a minor injury, officials said. East 1st Avenue was closed between Sheridan and Arbutus avenues for an extended time, the Chico department said. The Butte County Library announced all branches would be closed on Tuesday and said, "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."
Rep. James Gallagher (R-East Nicolaus) said, "I am heartbroken by this senseless violence and am praying for the victims, their loved ones and everyone impacted by this tragedy." Gov. Gavin Newsom said, "Our 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. No family should have to endure a tragedy like this." State Sen. Megan Dahle called the incident "stunning and heartbreaking" and said, "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. 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."
The Chico Police Department is leading the investigation with assistance from the Butte County Sheriff's Office and the FBI, and Chico police said they would speak at 1 p.m. Tuesday to give an update on the shooting investigation.