Accused Orange shooter Identified as Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez -

had ‘business and personal’ relationship with victims

Officials work outside a business on Thursday, April 1, 2021 where four people were killed a day earlier, including one child, in a mass shooting at 202 W. Lincoln Ave., in Orange, CA. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The 44-year-old Fullerton man suspected of shooting and killing three adults and a 9-year-old boy Wednesday evening at an Orange business complex appeared to be motivated by previous personal and business relationships with the victims, police said at a Thursday morning, April 1, press conference.

The suspect apparently secured the gates of the building with bicycle cable locks, keeping the first two officers out and forcing them to shoot from beyond the gate until police could get bolt cutters a …oe csfbl uispvhi.

On Thursday, April 1, 2021, Orange police named Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez, 44, as the suspect in a mass shooting a day earlier at 202 W. Lincoln Ave., in Orange, CA. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The shooting came on the heels of a recent series of mass-victim slayings in March across the country that has left communities shaken, including an attack on spas in Atlanta where eight people, six of Asian descent, were killed and most recently in Boulder where 10 were killed at a supermarket.

On Thursday morning, in Orange, police vehicles were still outside the beige and brown building where the shootings erupted. Part of Lincoln Avenue was still closed as investigators combed over the scene.

A few residents were out, some trying to catch a glimpse of the remaining police activity.

Michelle Ayash, 64, has lived nearby for five years. She’s seen chases and stabbings in the area, she said, but nothing like Wednesday’s attack.

“It’s a tragedy, and to be so close to home,” Ayash said, shaking her head as she stood near the police barricade on Lincoln. “It’s just scary. We live in scary times.”

KTLA reported:

A gunman opened fire at an office building in the city of Orange Wednesday, killing four people and wounding a fifth. The shooter was also wounded, officials said.

A child was among those found slain when officers responded to a report of shots being fired at 202 W. Lincoln Ave. around 5:30 p.m., said Lt. Jennifer Amat with the Orange Police Department.

The shooting was still active when officers arrived on scene at the two-story office building, Amat said, adding that at least one officer opened fire on the gunman. But Amat later said officials were still working to determine whether the suspect was shot by police, or if he sustained a self-inflicted wound.

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Amat had no information about what may have prompted the attack. She said the shooting occurred on both levels of the building. The multi-tenant building houses various businesses such as a mental health counseling services office, State Farm Insurance, a financial consulting firm, a legal services firm and a phone repair store.

Police located “multiple victims” at the scene, including a child who was fatally shot. As of 8 p.m. Wednesday Amat said there was no information on the child’s age, or any identifying information on the others shot.

“The preliminary motive is believed to be related to a business and personal relationship which existed between the suspect and all of the victims,” Orange Police spokesperson Lt. Jennifer Amat said in a news conference Thursday.

“This was not a random act of violence,” she said.

Staff writer Tony Saavedra contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.