4 partygoers latest to die in California shooting spree

FRESNO, California－Ten people were shot and four of them were killed on Sunday at a party in Fresno when suspects sneaked into a backyard filled with people and fired into the crowd, police said.

The shooting took place about 6 pm on the city's southeast side where people had gathered to watch a football game, Fresno Police Lieutenant Bill Dooley said.

Deputy Chief Michael Reid told the Fresno Bee newspaper and the KSEE/KGPE TV stations that of the 10 people shot, three were found dead in the backyard. A fourth victim died at the hospital.

Six others are expected to survive and are recovering at the hospital, police said. All the victims were Asian men ranging from ages 25 to 35, Reid said.

"What we do know is that this was a gathering, a family and friend gathering in the backyard," Dooley said. "Everyone was watching football this evening when unknown suspects approached the residence, sneaked into the backyard and opened fire."

The victims were taken to Community Regional Medical Center in critical condition, where some are in critical but stable condition, the TV stations reported.

About 35 people were at the party when the shooting began, Reid said.

"Thank God that no kids were hurt," he said.

No suspect is in custody. Police said there was no immediate indication that the victims knew the shooter or shooters.

Police were going door-to-door in search of surveillance video that might help them track down the suspects. The shooting took place about 800 meters from the central California city's airport.

Agents from the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives field office in San Francisco were responding to the shooting, the Bee reported.

It was at least the second fatal gun attack on Sunday in southeast Fresno, the Bee reported. A man in his 20s was shot dead early on Sunday at a home in another part of the city. Police have not said whether the incidents could be connected.

Also on Sunday, thousands of people held a candlelight vigil to remember two students shot and killed by a classmate at his Southern California high school as investigators try to determine what prompted the deadly attack that left three other teens wounded.

The brother of one of the two dead students told people at the vigil in Central Park, Santa Clarita, that his sister, 15-year-old Gracie Anne Muehlberger, "was the best sister ever. You always put a smile on my face".

Riley Muehlberger shared fond memories of his sister's birthday party and how she would talk to him about her life at school in the Los Angeles suburb.

"I watched you grow up more and more every day. You said you looked up to me when I graduated from Saugus," he said, referring to the school where the shootings took place.

Angie Davidson, an aunt of 14-year-old Dominic Blackwell, said his death has devastated the family. Davidson was surrounded by other family members, several who were crying, as she spoke.

"He's gone forever. We are broken," Davidson said. "Please remember the two precious lives that we lost."

Santa Clarita Mayor Marsha McLean touched on the theme of the vigil in her remarks. "Tonight and every day we are Saugus strong," she said.

Saugus High School will remain closed until Dec 2, but counselors are available to help students cope with their grief, said school district officials of Santa Clarita.

Detectives were searching for a motive for the killings carried out by Nathaniel T. Berhow on Thursday, his 16th birthday. The teenager pulled a .45-caliber handgun from his backpack and shot five students at random before shooting himself in the head. He died the next day.

A 14-year-old girl wounded in that attack was discharged from the hospital late on Friday. A 15-year-old girl remained hospitalized in a satisfactory condition. A 14-year-old boy was treated and released on Thursday.

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