New details are emerging in the deadly mass shooting that happened in the small community of Rancho Tehama Tuesday morning. The shooter was shot and killed by police after driving through the area and sending a barrage of bullets into cars, homes and the local elementary school.
In a press conference at 10 this morning Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston said that the death toll has risen to six, including the gunman, who was identified as Kevin Janson Neal. The number of those killed rose after officials searched the gunman’s home and found his wife’s body concealed under the floorboards. Neighbors later told deputies that they heard a commotion but didn't report it. Johnston relayed a report that Neal apparently phoned his mother Monday night, telling her cryptically, “it's over.”
The number of wounded has also increased. Early reports put the number at 10 but officials are now saying that 14 people were hurt. Seven of the injured are children. Four of the children were injured at the school, one of them is currently in critical condition at UC Davis Hospital. It is unclear whether all of the children were hit with bullets or if their injuries are from glass and shrapnel. None of the deceased were children.
It is possible that there are more victims as well. Johnston told reporters this morning that, “The citizens of Rancho Tehama, they need to check on each other."
"They need to check on their neighbors because this individual was literally going up and down the road and shooting at random structures, so it is possible that you may have a neighbor or somebody that could be injured or hurt that we are not aware of,” he said.
Officials have finished processing a number of crime scenes where they say the victims were shot. They include the Rancho Tehama Elementary School, the shooter’s neighborhood on Bobcat Road and the intersection of Stage Coach and Oak Park Road.
Johnston said Neal had two semi-automatic rifles that he illegally assembled and two semi-automatic pistols. Johnston said law enforcement had a history with Neal and that Neal was out on bail for an assault with a deadly weapon that happened back in January. Officials say the rifles were not registered, they did not clarify whether the pistols were or not.
As for what started the mass murder – the answer is still unclear. District Attorney Gregg Cohen said that there may not have been a single incident that set Neal off. He said a combination of drugs, alcohol firearms and poverty are becoming more widespread here and around the nation.
