A man walked into a Social Security office Monday morning and fatally shot a security guard at least twice in the head, also wounding a bystander before surrendering to police. After shooting the guard, the gunman told the more than two-dozen others inside the south-side office not to worry because he had finished what he came to do, witnesses told television station KCRA.
One of the bullets wounded a Social Security client in the abdomen, police Lt. John Kane said. Huang Qu Hui, 70, of Sacramento, was in fair condition after surgery at the UC Davis Medical Center.
Police identified the gunman as Xioung Tou, 52, of Sacramento. He laid his gun on the guard's desk, walked out of the office and surrendered to arriving CHP officers, Kane said.
A 2-year-old boy believed to be Xioung's son was found in his white sedan in the parking lot, he said.
Xioung had filed a disability claim with the Social Security office that was rejected and currently on appeal before an administrative law judge, Social Security spokeswoman Susan Kost said, declining to elaborate.
Police said they were reviewing the claim and did not know if it was a motive for the shooting.
"We've got a file that must be that thick," police Sgt. Rich Gardella said, holding his fingers about 3 inches apart.
Kane said police were in a "mad scramble" trying to find members of Xioung's family, including his girlfriend and 3-year-old daughter.
"We are very concerned about their safety," he said.
Witnesses ran out as the shooting started shortly after 11 a.m. Several witnesses hurried down the block to a California Highway Patrol office and alerted officers, who ran to the Social Security office, Kane said.
"There was total panic," he said.
The guard, Vincente Pacificar, 56, of Sacramento, died on the way to a hospital or shortly after arriving, Kane said. He worked for Paige's Security, based in Monterey.
The guard never had a chance to draw his gun, Kane said.
The 2-year-old boy was placed in the custody of child protective services.
The Social Security office, one of several in the Sacramento area, is located in a commercial stretch next to State Highway 99. There is a roller rink next door and a hotel across the street.
Employees and other witnesses were sent home after they spoke with police, Kane said.
The office will remain closed until Wednesday, Social Security spokeswoman Kost said. Employees will meet at another location Tuesday, and counseling will be offered all day, she said.
The slain man was the only guard in the 40-employee office, Kost said. She said security at the office would be reviewed.
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