An 18-year-old Chico resident, Bradley Scott Sayer, remains in custody following a Monday afternoon shooting at the Butte County Library that left two patrons dead. Investigators report Sayer, who allegedly sought to replicate the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, was arrested within four minutes of the initial 911 call.
A Targeted Attack: The Investigation into Sayer’s Motivations
Authorities have moved quickly to characterize the motive behind the violence at the library branch located at Sherman and East 1st avenues. According to the CBS News report, investigators believe Sayer was influenced by the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, a conclusion bolstered by interviews conducted during the investigation. This assessment is supported by evidence found at the scene; KCRA reports that Sayer was wearing a white T-shirt with the words “natural selection” written in marker—a direct reference to the attire of one of the Columbine shooters.
Sid Patel, the FBI special agent in charge for the Sacramento field office, noted that Sayer had been a long-time “fan” of the Columbine shootings on social media, a detail echoed by Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey. Sayer, a recent graduate of Chico High School, reportedly conducted a walkthrough of the library before retrieving a shotgun from his vehicle to carry out the attack. District Attorney Ramsey indicated that the investigation into Sayer’s digital footprint suggests a period of premeditation, as authorities continue to process evidence recovered from his residence and electronic devices to establish a comprehensive timeline of his planning process.
Timeline of the Response and Casualty Identification
The incident began at 5:12 p.m. on Monday, June 22, when dispatchers received an open-line 911 call that allowed them to hear gunshots and screaming. Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge told Fox News that officers arrived at the scene by 5:14 p.m., with the suspect in custody by 5:16 p.m.
The victims of the shooting have been identified as 74-year-old Robert Johnson of Orland and 46-year-old Jacob Hull of Chico. A third victim, a female juvenile accompanying Hull, sustained injuries from broken glass and was released from Enloe Hospital following treatment. According to police reports, eight rounds were fired during the incident. While the suspect had two additional firearms in his vehicle, no officers discharged their weapons during the apprehension. The swift arrest prevented further escalation, though the scene remained cordoned off for over 24 hours as forensic teams documented the trajectory of the rounds and collected physical evidence from the library’s interior.
Institutional Context and Public Safety Procedures
The Butte County Library system, like many public institutions across California, operates as an open-access facility. These spaces are historically designed to encourage community engagement and provide resources to all residents without restrictive entry barriers. The use of public libraries for such an act has sparked a regional conversation regarding the balance between the “open door” philosophy of public service and the necessity of safety protocols in an era of increasing concerns over public space security. In standard police procedure, following an incident of this magnitude, investigators typically coordinate with federal partners to determine if there were any prior indicators of intent that could have been identified through existing threat assessment programs.
Community Impact and Security Changes
The tragedy has prompted immediate institutional responses across Butte County. Misty Wright, the Butte County Director of Libraries, issued a statement acknowledging the profound loss of safety within a space meant for public service.
“We grieve for the innocent victims and their loved ones. We grieve for those who witnessed something no one should ever have to witness. We grieve for our staff, our patrons, and our entire community. And we acknowledge the fear, sadness, and heartbreak that so many are carrying today,” Wright said, via KRCR.
In the aftermath, officials confirmed that security personnel are now being deployed to every location within the Butte County library system. This change represents a significant shift in operational policy for the county, which had previously maintained a model focused on accessibility. As the investigation continues, Sayer is scheduled to appear for an arraignment on Thursday, June 25, at 3 p.m. Charges currently include two counts of murder, with prosecutors evaluating potential attempted murder charges related to the injured minor. The Butte County District Attorney’s office has emphasized that the prosecution will focus on the evidence of premeditation found in Sayer’s possession and his documented interest in the 1999 Columbine events.
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