Four killed in California backyard shooting

Andrea Tovar lights up a candle at a vigil held for shooting victims on 17 November in Santa Clarita, California. Nathaniel T. Berhow, a 16 year-old-student, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing two people and injuring three others in the November 14th shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita. Photo: AFP
Andrea Tovar lights up a candle at a vigil held for shooting victims on 17 November in Santa Clarita, California. Nathaniel T. Berhow, a 16 year-old-student, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing two people and injuring three others in the November 14th shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita. Photo: AFP

Four people were shot dead and six others wounded while watching a football game in the backyard of a central California home on Sunday, police said.

“Three people died on scene,” deputy Fresno police chief Michael Reed told reporters.

“One was critical and... succumbed to his injuries” after being rushed to a hospital, he added.

Reuters reports, a gunman started shooting after entering the backyard of a south Fresno home where a gathering of family and friends was watching a football game after 6 pm, police said, and neighbours flooded 911 dispatchers with calls for help.

The suspect fled the scene and police were combing the neighbourhood for witnesses and possible security camera footage.

Many others at the party may have driven themselves to hospital, police said, adding that some victims were taken to a nearby community medical centre with gunshot wounds.

A police spokesman was not immediately available to Reuters for further comment.