The father of the man accused of a deadly shooting at a California library has detailed his son's movements in the hours leading up to the attack. David Sayer, 66, stated he last saw his autistic son, Bradley Sayer, 18, shortly after 3 p.m. on June 22. The shooting occurred approximately two hours and 15 minutes later, resulting in the deaths of two men. The weapons used in the attack had been stored in a bedroom closet at the family's home.
David Sayer told The Post that the morning of the shooting began with routine errands for Bradley, including a trip to the post office. The teenager then attempted to donate blood but was rejected due to low blood pressure. Bradley returned home around 2:30 p.m., with the stamps he had picked up appearing wet, which his father found unusual.
David Sayer had planned a trip to Chester, a town about 65 miles northeast of Chico, to celebrate his fiancée's daughter's 40th birthday. He offered his son the option of joining them, staying home, or visiting his mother, who lives nearby. Bradley chose to stay home, telling his father he intended to eat at the Alibi Pub & Grill and then go swimming at In Motion Fitness.
While the family was at the birthday party, they heard news of a shooting in Chico. David Sayer returned home at 9:15 p.m. to find his bedroom ransacked, with drawers and cabinets open. His .22 caliber rifles and shotgun were missing. He contacted the police to report a burglary, but officers were occupied with the shooting investigation.
As David Sayer drove to his ex-wife's house to check if Bradley was there, he was pulled over by police. He realized at that moment that his son had committed a serious offense. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the Sayer residence, collecting evidence including Bradley's computer. Ring camera footage provided by David Sayer showed his son leaving the house at 4:22 p.m. with the weapons, wrapped in a blanket, and placing them in his car.
Police received reports of gunshots at the library at 5:12 p.m. Officers arrived within minutes, and the suspect was apprehended by approximately 5:16 p.m. The victims were identified as Jacob "Cody" Hull, 46, and Robert Johnson, 74.
David Sayer stated that the three weapons used in the alleged murders – two .22 rifles and a shotgun – were stored unlocked in his bedroom closet. He noted that his son had not previously used the 20-gauge shotgun, which was found on the floor.
He described his son as a solitary individual with few friends, who sang in a local church choir and worked part-time at a pet store. Bradley was reportedly diagnosed with autism at age two and had undergone extensive therapy. His father suggested that his son's autism and lack of social connections might have contributed to his actions, stating that Bradley "didn't have a mean bone in his body."
Court documents from 2022, during the Sayers' divorce, revealed a dispute over Bradley's access to firearms. His mother opposed his use of weapons, while his father believed shooting enriched his life. A court order stipulated that Bradley would attend a gun safety class with his father and receive counseling for social issues and withdrawal tendencies.
Bradley Sayer appeared in court on June 25, facing two counts of murder with special circumstances. Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey stated that Sayer had developed an interest in the 1999 Columbine High School shooting and had researched the dark web. Ramsey also mentioned that the accused recorded a video detailing his plans and left behind a journal.
David Sayer had planned a trip to Las Vegas with his son for July 5 to celebrate his recent high school graduation, with tickets to shows. Bradley was also scheduled to spend two weeks with his mother in South Carolina.