Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has voiced strong criticism against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing him of refusing federal assistance while Chicago grapples with escalating violence. Over a weekend marred by deadly incidents, Chicago witnessed at least eight fatalities and numerous injuries from shootings. Blanche highlighted Chicago’s plight by contrasting it with cities like Washington, D.C. and Memphis that have successfully reduced crime through collaboration between local and federal authorities.
In another tragic event, a shooting occurred in Northern California when an 18-year-old gunman, Bradley Scott Sayer, opened fire in a library, killing two individuals. The Chico Police Department revealed that Sayer was influenced by the Columbine High School shooting of 1999 and other mass shootings. Despite having no connection to the victims or the library, Sayer conducted an initial walkthrough, fetched a shotgun from his car, and then executed the attack.
The violence unfolded rapidly. Following multiple 911 calls, police arrived swiftly at the scene, establishing a perimeter around the library. The swift response led to Sayer’s capture within four minutes from the first call. The victims were identified as 46-year-old Jacob Hull and 74-year-old Robert Johnson, both fatally shot. A minor girl sustained injuries and received hospital treatment.
Authorities discovered two additional firearms in Sayer’s vehicle during a search. Their ongoing investigation seeks to determine how he acquired these weapons. Of note, Sayer wore a T-shirt inscribed with the term “natural selection,” a reference to the Columbine massacre shooter Eric Harris’s attire, indicating Sayer’s profound interest in the infamous shootings.
Bradley Scott Sayer, according to Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey, was an avid fan of the Columbine shootings on social media. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday.