Investigators are trying to determine the motive of David Mora, 39, and how he obtained the weapon in the shooting at The Church Sacramento (a nondenominational Christian church place of worship). The weapon used by police is not known. He was prohibited from owning a firearm under California law.
Mora was released on bail at the time of the murders after being charged last week with assaulting a police officer.
Court documents show that Mora verbally and physically abused his girlfriend, the mother of their three daughters. One of them would have been 11 years old on Wednesday.
The woman requested a restraining order because Mora was “very jealous of others,” she wrote. “He threatened me with death if I was caught cheating.”
She claimed that he told her that he didn’t kill her because he wouldn’t know where to take the children.
“I’m scared and nervous. I’m afraid that (Mora), will hurt me. The woman, whose identity was withheld by The Associated Press due to abuse victims, said that she did not want to go home.
Mora was also identified in court papers as David Fidel Mora Rojas. He was taken into custody last April 17 for a mental evaluation. A temporary restraining orders was issued nine days later.
May 19th saw the imposition of a five-year order. The order stipulated that Mora could only supervise visits with his daughters for a maximum of four hours per week, with a mutually agreed-upon chaperone. Mora was also required to complete anger management courses.
Authorities have identified Nathaniel Kong, the chaperone of the visitation. Kong, 59, was killed at the church with three young girls, aged 13, 10 and 9. According to court records, he served Mora the May restraining orders.
They attended schools in the Natomas Unified Schools District, northwestern Sacramento. To provide support, counselors and chaplains were present at the schools Tuesday.
The school district released a statement saying that “there are very few words that could give comfort right now for the unspeakable tragedy.”
Mora was taken into custody in Merced County just a few days prior to the murders. After he attacked a California Highway Patrol officer, Mora was arrested on charges of resisting arrest and battery on a officer.
“He was drunk, and while they were trying to arrest him or arrest him, he decided he wanted a fight and ended up facing felony charges because he attacked a CHP officer, causing injury,” Deputy Daryl Allen, a spokesperson for the Merced County Sheriff’s Office told The Sacramento Bee.
It was not known what Mora may have had with the church, which is located in a residential neighborhood. According to neighbors, the shooting happened quickly and the police responded by sweeping the area.
Sandi Davis claimed that she was walking her dog outside when she heard the gunshot. To protect herself, she immediately released the leash and fell to the ground.
Yadira Ortega, a neighbor of the church, claimed that she heard gunfire as she sat in her car returning from pick-up dinner for her family. Her 9-year old daughter and her 6-year-old son were with her. Ortega stated that there were several shots and then a pause, before the final shot.
Ortega stated that she doesn’t know much about The Church of Sacramento, except that it is busy on Sundays and quiet during the week.
One man who walked out of the church multiple times to speak to reporters outside stated that the church was made up several buildings, including a living area where he and other members reside.
Alfredo was the man who claimed he was at the church’s main structure when the shooting occurred. He said that neighbors called police to report the incident because he didn’t have a cellphone.
He refused to give more details but said that church elders would issue a statement later.
A small memorial was set up outside of the church on Tuesday morning. It included flowers, balloons and stuffed animals. There was also a paper with the words “Prayers to peace, may your souls rest.”
Faith Whitmore is the chief executive of Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center, which provides services for victims of domestic violence. To obtain the restraining orders, she worked with a case manager and an advocate.
Whitmore said that the woman came in because she needed emergency intervention. She also needed resources and help.
Whitmore stated that their organization will push for other clients to have supervision by professionals and that they will seek funding to pay the costs.
Joyce Bilyeu was also the deputy director of the center but did not directly work with the woman. She spoke about supervised visits, but the details can differ widely.
She said that sometimes victims will ask for a pastor or grandparent to be their chaperone at their church or home. Bilyeu stated that some victims may seek professional supervision from a trained mediator at a safe location near law enforcement. However, this option can prove costly.
Bilyeu stated that victims can feel unsafe when they visit churches and other places.
She said that “generally a lot people believe a church to be a safe place.” However, “there are no metal detectors inside a church.”
While a restraining order is a common part of domestic violence cases, it should not be considered as a deterrent or solution to abuse.
Bilyeu stated, “It’s not a shield or armor.”
