Two Killed in Chico Library Shooting Identified, Suspect in Custody

Police identified the two people killed in the shooting at the Butte County Library in Chico on Monday as Robert Johnson, 74, of Orland, and Jacob Hull, 46, of Chico. A teenage girl who was with Hull sustained injuries from broken glass but has been released from the hospital.

The first 911 call was logged at 5:12 p.m., and officers arrived on the scene at 5:14 p.m., according to Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge. Officers entered through the front doors while the suspect exited from the rear, where a perimeter had already been established. The suspect was taken into custody at 5:16 p.m. > "That's absolutely amazing," Aldridge said.

The alleged shooter, identified as 18-year-old Bradley Scott Sayer of Chico, was booked into the Butte County Jail. District Attorney Michael Ramsey said Sayer is expected to face two counts of first-degree murder, with possible additional attempted-murder charges pending. Authorities believe Sayer acted alone and had no known connection to the victims. Investigators said his motive appeared to be inspired by the 1999 Columbine High School massacre.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel noted that Sayer had recently graduated from Chico High School and split his time between his parents' homes. He reportedly conducted a walkthrough of the library before the attack, retrieved a shotgun from his vehicle, and wore a white T-shirt marked with the phrase "natural selection," a reference to one of the Columbine shooters. The shotgun was recovered from the library, and two other firearms were found in his vehicle.

One victim was shot at the library entrance and the other inside the building; eight rounds were fired in total. The library had no security personnel at the time of the incident, and officials said security staff will now be assigned to each location in the county library system. The investigation remains ongoing, and police are asking anyone with information to contact the Chico Police Department.