Chico Library Shooting Kills Two; Suspect Cited Columbine Influence, Wore Matching Shirt

Bradley Scott Sayer, 18, of Chico, California, fatally shot two men at the Butte County Library's Chico branch on Monday before being taken into custody in under four minutes, authorities said Tuesday. Jacob Hull, 46, and Robert Johnson, 74, were killed; an underage girl was also injured and treated at a hospital. Eight shots were fired in total.

Columbine Connection at the Center of Investigation

Sayer wore a white T-shirt bearing the words "natural selection" — the same slogan printed on a shirt worn by Columbine shooter Eric Harris during the 1999 massacre in Colorado, according to Sid Patel, special agent in charge of the FBI's Sacramento office. Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey said Sayer had been a long-time follower of Columbine-related content on social media, calling him a "fan, and a fan for a long time" of the shooting.

Investigators are also examining other mass shootings that may have influenced Sayer. He had graduated from Chico High School on June 5, just weeks before the attack.

Sequence of Events Inside the Library

Before opening fire, Sayer conducted a walkthrough of the building, returned to his vehicle in the parking lot, and retrieved a shotgun, the Chico Police Department said. He shot Hull at the main entrance — striking him in the leg and head — then shot Johnson inside the building, also in the head. Sayer had no known prior connection to the library or either victim.

Following multiple 911 calls, officers arrived and established a perimeter. Sayer then exited the building and was taken into custody. Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge said the interval from the first 911 call to Sayer's arrest was less than four minutes, and that audible gunshots and screams on one of those calls underscored how rapidly the situation escalated. Aldridge credited the speed of the police response with preventing additional casualties.

Weapons and What Comes Next

A search of Sayer's vehicle uncovered two additional firearms beyond the shotgun he used in the attack. Investigators are working to determine how he acquired all three weapons, the Chico Police Department said.

Sayer is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, District Attorney Ramsey confirmed. No further charges beyond those tied to the two killings and the injury to the minor had been publicly detailed as of Tuesday.