Witnesses reported that the gunman, who was a former nursing student at the college, entered the campus in mid-morning hours and opened fire in a reception area before walking into a classroom and spraying students with bullets.
According to witnesses, the gunman was a former student at the class but had not been seen for the last four months. The students thought that the former classmate was joking when he walked into the classroom in khaki clothing and told them “Get in line and I’m going to kill you all.”
Oakland police confirmed to media that the casualties included seven deaths and three wounded.
Businesses in the neighborhood were shut down as officers searched the area for the killer. Local TV stations aired coverage of frightened students and staff escaping the school premises with police and SWAT teams surrounding the area.
The city officials issued a brief statement assuring the public, “As you may have heard, the suspected shooter in today’s deadly shooting at Oikos University on Edgewater Drive is in custody, and it appears he acted alone … The surrounding area is still cordoned off, but police have advised that no imminent public safety threat appears to exist in the immediate area.”
California Governor Jerry Brown said, “The tragic loss of life at Oikos University today is shocking and sad … Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and friends and the entire community affected by this senseless act of violence.”
The sole suspect has been arrested by the police at a shopping center and has been identified as Huan Goh, 43. Police are still investigating the motives for the crime. According to Teresa Garcia, correspondent of CBS news, a security guard at the shopping center observed Huan acting strangely and asked whether he needed any help. “Huan Goh told him I’ve shot several people, I need to talk to police …’ so in the end, he turned himself in,” said Garcia.