A man who opened fire during a lunch reception at a southern California church was detained by parishioners, according to a sheriff's official who called their intervention an act of "exceptional heroism and bravery".
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One person was killed and four others were critically wounded in the Sunday afternoon shooting at Geneva Presbyterian Church in the city of Laguna Woods.
The suspect in the shooting, an Asian man in his 60s, was in custody and deputies recovered two handguns at the scene, Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock said.
A motive for the shooting was not immediately known but investigators did not believe the gunman lived in the community, Hallock said.
The majority of those inside the church at the time were believed to be of Taiwanese descent, sheriff's spokesperson Carrie Braun said.
Between 30 and 40 people were gathered for lunch after a morning church service when gunfire erupted shortly before 1.30pm, officials said.
When deputies arrived, parishioners had the gunman hogtied with an electrical cord and in custody.
"That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery in intervening to stop the suspect. They undoubtedly prevented additional injuries and fatalities," Hallock said.
"I think it's safe to say that had people not intervened, it could have been much worse."
A man died at the scene and a fifth injured person suffered minor injuries. All the victims were adults.
Hallock said the many unanswered questions included whether the assailant attended the church service, if he was known to church members and how many shots were fired.
The lunch reception was honouring a former pastor of a Taiwanese congregation that has services at Geneva, according to the Presbytery of Los Ranchos, a church administrative body.
Federal agents from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded.
Laguna Woods was built as a senior living community and later became a city. More than 80 per cent of residents in the city of 18,000 people about 80 kilometres southeast of Los Angeles are at least 65.
Governor Gavin Newsom's office said he was closely monitoring the situation.
"No one should have to fear going to their place of worship. Our thoughts are with the victims, community, and all those impacted by this tragic event," his office said on Twitter.
The incident occurred in an area with a cluster of houses of worship, including Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist churches and a Jewish synagogue.
The shooting came a day after an 18-year-old man shot and killed 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.
"This should not be our new normal. I will work hard to support the victims and their families," said US Representative Katie Porter, whose district includes Laguna Woods.
Australian Associated Press
