28 January 2023 , 23:00
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An alleged gunman charged after a bloodthirsty massacre claims he suffered “years of bullying” before he opened fire.
Seven people were killed in the bloodbath at San Mateo County farms, where an investigation into conditions in the workplace is being held.
In a prison interview with NBC Bay Area, Chunli Zhao, 66, admitted taking a semi-automatic weapon and firing at fellow workers on Monday.
San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen M. Wagstaffe could not go into details of the massacre or the suspects remarks to the TV channel but said they were “consistent with what he told law enforcement.”
The alleged gunman claimed in a short interview he had been suffering from “some sort of mental illness” and was “not in his right mind” at the time of the incident.
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Alleged gunman Chunli Zhao admitted taking a semi-automatic weapon and firing at fellow workers (Shae Hammond/AP/REX/Shutterstock)He had planned to turn himself in to police after driving to San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and was composing a note in his car before being taken into custody.
Janelle Wang of NBC Bay Area said he also told of his regret after the shocking incident.
State officials opened investigations into workplace practices at the two sites of Monday’s fatal shootings.
They shed light on the lives and work of California’s farmworkers, who often face dangerous conditions.
Chunli Zhao claimed he was 'not in his right mind' (Aaron Kehoe/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Governor Gavin Newsom visited the community and spoke with the victims’ families about the shooting and their workplace.
He said some were “living in shipping containers” and working for $9 (£7.46) an hour below the minimum wage of $15.50 (£12.85).
At a news conference, he said: “No healthcare, no support, no services, but [they’re] taking care of our health, providing a service to us each and every day."
A spokesperson for Newsom called the workers’ conditions “simply deplorable” in a statement.
A spokesperson for Newsom called the workers’ conditions 'simply deplorable' (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)“Our country relies on their back-breaking work, yet Congress cannot even provide them the stability of raising their families and working in this country without fear of deportation, which contributes to their vulnerability in the workplace.”
Daniel Villaseñor, deputy press secretary for Newsom said: “California is investigating the farms involved in the Half Moon Bay shooting to ensure workers are treated fairly and with the compassion they deserve.”
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In investigation into workplace conditions is being held (Getty Images)California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health and the labour commissioner’s office are also investigating the work sites for potential labour and health and safety violations.
Both agencies “want to ensure that employees are being afforded all the protections of California labour laws,” according to a statement.