The person who was killed when a distraught gunman opened hearth on his three daughters inside a California church was a “beneficiant and selfless” church elder who allowed the shooter to dwell on church property, it was revealed on Tuesday.
Nathaniel Kong, 59, was supervising a go to between David Mora Rojas, 39, and his youngsters when the troubled father killed all 4 earlier than turning the weapon on himself in a tragic murder-suicide, a churchgoer advised The Put up.
“He was all the time so giving and all he wished to do was assist [Rojas],” mentioned church member Joseph Wang. “We don’t know the way he acquired the gun as a result of that might by no means be allowed on the church property.”
Kong, 59, was shot useless at The Church in Sacramento on Wyda Means together with Samarah Mora Gutierrez, 9; Samantha Mora Gutierrez, 10; and Samia Mora Gutierrez, 13, when Rojas opened hearth with an AR-15-style rifle, in response to the Sacramento County Coroner’s Workplace and Sheriff’s officers.
Kong had provided to supervise Rojas’ visitations together with his three daughters, which often happened in one of many church assembly rooms.
“He had sat with him and the youngsters many, many instances earlier than however we don’t know why the dad all of the sudden grew to become indignant,” Wang mentioned.
“I do know the daddy was below a lot stress to make ends meet, and I feel that’s when the friction between the couple began taking place. He simply couldn’t discover a secure job, so he requested Kong for assist.”
Rojas had just lately been ordered by a decide to attend anger administration programs and had an order of safety filed towards him by his former girlfriend, Illeanna Gutierrez Rios.
Kong, the church elder, was serving to Rojas as he struggled by way of psychological well being and monetary points through the pandemic, Wang mentioned.
He met Rojas just a few years in the past when the church elder was handing out spiritual pamphlets at a road nook. Rojas and his then-girlfriend Rios finally grew to become members of the church.
When the couple separated, Kong provided Rojas a spot to dwell within the again home on the church property whereas he tried to piece his life again collectively.
Rojas had been there for the previous few months whereas Rios and their three daughters stayed on the home of one other church member, Wang mentioned.
In keeping with courtroom information, Rios filed for a restraining order in Might, which was granted by a decide. Rojas was allowed visitation of his three daughters below the supervision of a pal or a member of the church.
Investigators are nonetheless making an attempt to piece collectively what occurred throughout Monday’s assembly that induced Rojas to show his rifle on his three daughters and his pal earlier than capturing himself.
Rios was not on the church when the capturing occurred, officers mentioned.
Wang mentioned he and different members of The Church in Sacramento are devastated over the deaths of the younger youngsters and their church chief.
Kong, who tried so desperately to assist the distraught man, leaves behind a spouse and youngsters.
“He was so giving,” Wang mentioned whereas breaking into tears. “It’s so onerous for me to say extra. He served (the church) full-time, devoted his complete life to individuals. We're devastated.”
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