Police say Chico library shooting suspect wanted to carry out Columbine-style attack

An 18-year-old Chico man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after authorities said he opened fire inside the Butte County Library in Chico, killing two men in what investigators described as an apparent attempt to "commit a Columbine High School massacre type of shooting.”

Bradley Scott Sayer was arrested Monday evening after officers surrounded the library and took him into custody. Sayer was booked into the Butte County Jail on two counts of murder, the Chico Police Department said Tuesday.

Robert Johnson, 74, of Orland and Jacob Hull, 46, of Chico were killed in the library shooting. Police said a girl, who was with Hull, was hospitalized after suffering minor injuries when she was cut on her side by broken glass. All three were patrons in the library when the shooting occurred.

The shooting was reported just after 5 p.m. Monday, when dispatchers received several 911 calls reporting gunfire and screams inside the library on the 1100 block of Sherman Avenue.

Officers arrived within minutes and entered the building as Sayer exited through the east side of the library, where a police perimeter had already been established. Video obtained by Action News Now showed an officer tackling the suspect outside the library as he tried to flee out the back.

Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge credited officers for responding within minutes to establish a perimeter around the building. At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Aldridge acknowledged the shooting victims and their families.

“It’s just horrible to see that we have this tragedy,” he said. “It’s just super sad.”

Aldridge said officers arrived at the library within two minutes of the first 911 call, and they took the suspect into custody about two minutes later. He said officers did not use any force to subdue the suspect, who was apprehended without further incident.

Eight gunshots were fired inside the library in the library attack. Aldridge said the first victim who was shot was near the library entrance, and second man shot was near the rear of the library.

The police chief said investigators found two additional guns in Sayer’s vehicle parked around the side of the library.

Investigators were still trying to determine the source of the recovered firearms, but Aldridge said they believe the guns were registered to Sayer’s relatives. Investigators have questioned Sayer’s parents, but the Police Department declined to provide any details about those interviews.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the suspect used a shotgun in the library shooting, and that shotgun was found on the floor of the library and collected as evidence. He said Sayer will make his first appearance for his arraignment Thursday in Butte Superior Court.

Ramsey said he expects that Sayer will be formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He said prosecutors were still examining witness statements and investigation reports, so it’s possible Sayer could also face attempted murder charges.

Ramsey said that investigators have learned that Sayer had become “a fan” of the April 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School that killed 12 students and one teacher in Littleton, Colorado. The victims were killed by fellow students Dylan Klebold, 17, and Eric Harris, 18, in the initial attack. In 2025, the death of an injured student at the time was classified as a homicide, bringing the death toll to 14.

Sayer had made a “deep dive” into a social media community surrounding the Columbine massacre and other school shootings. Ramsey said. Sayer “obviously lost his way” in that community and decided on Monday to act as a “copy cat.”

Sid Patel, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office, said Sayer on Monday was wearing a white T-shirt with “Natural Selection” written on it, mimicking what Harris in the Columbine mass shooting. Patel said Sayer first did a walkthrough, without a gun, Monday in the Chico library. Sayer then walked outside again, grabbed the shotgun and went back into the libray, Patel said.

Investigators with the Chico Police Department, Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI determined Sayer acted alone. Police said there was no indication Sayer knew any of the victims before the attack.

All Butte County library branches remained closed Tuesday following the shooting. Misty Wright, Butte County’s director of libraries, said a library should be place of joy where children of all ages come to learn and feel safe.

“And yesterday that sense of safety was shattered,” Wright said at the news conference. “We grieve for the innocent victims and their loved ones, for those who witnessed something no one should ever have to witness, and we grieve for our staff, our patrons and our entire community.”

She said library staff acted with “remarkable bravery,” using their training, to help patrons and each other. Authorities said staff helped patrons to get to safety.

Before Monday’s shooting, the Chico library branch was scheduled to close temporarily in August for renovations. Wright said the library branch will remain closed and reopen after renovations are completed.

She said officials were not aware of any threats at the system’s other library branches, but security personnel will be stationed there as a precaution. Wright said the branches previously relied on roving security patrols because there had been no incidents warranting a permanent security presence.

County officials, as well as north state leaders, expressed condolences to the victims, their families and library staff while urging the public to avoid the area as the investigation continued.

“I am heartbroken by the senseless act of violence in Chico tonight and am praying for the victims, their loved ones and everyone impacted by this tragedy,” said Rep. James Gallagher, R-Yuba City. “Thank you to the brave law enforcement officers and other first responders who responded quickly to protect our community. Chico is strong, and we will stand together in the days ahead.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a similar statement, saying that “no family should have to endure a tragedy like this.”

The investigation remains ongoing, police said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chico Police Department’s Detective Bureau at 530-897-5820.

This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 7:28 AM with the headline "Police say Chico library shooting suspect wanted to carry out Columbine-style attack."