Nathaniel Kong, a 59-year-old resident of Sacramento, California, tragically lost his life on February 28, 2022, in a horrific incident at The Church in Sacramento. Known affectionately as "Brother Nat," Kong was a long-time volunteer and elder at the church, where he dedicated much of his life to serving the community. On the fateful day, Kong was supervising a court-sanctioned visit between three young sisters and their father, David Mora.
The visit, intended to be a safe and monitored interaction, turned deadly when Mora opened fire, killing Kong and his three daughters, aged 9, 10, and 13, before taking his own life.
David Mora, the perpetrator of this tragic event, had a history of violent behavior and legal troubles. Just days before the incident, Mora was arrested on charges of resisting arrest, battery on a police officer, and driving under the influence. He had a restraining order against him, filed by his former girlfriend and mother of the three girls, due to previous threats and acts of violence. Despite the restraining order, which prohibited him from possessing firearms, Mora managed to acquire an AR-15-style rifle, which he used in the attack. The circumstances surrounding how Mora obtained the weapon remain under investigation, highlighting significant gaps in the enforcement of restraining order restrictions related to firearms.
The aftermath of the shooting has led to ongoing investigations and discussions about the protocols for supervised visitations and the enforcement of restraining orders. The tragic loss of Nathaniel Kong and the Mora Gutierrez sisters has deeply affected the Sacramento community, prompting calls for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Kong's life and legacy as a compassionate and selfless individual continue to be remembered by those who knew him, and efforts to support the victims' families have been initiated through various community and church-led initiatives.
