Gunman Kills Woman at Senior Center

PEORIA, Ariz. — A man armed with a rifle and handguns walked into a meeting at a retirement community recreation center and opened fire Wednesday, killing one woman and injuring four persons, one critically. The unidentified gunman was arrested at the scene, police said.

The shooting occurred about 2 p.m. while the victims were attending a meeting of the Ventana Lakes community association. Sgt. Shawn Gormley said there was no known motive.

Authorities described the suspect only as a 55-year-old man who pulled up to the building in a rental moving truck.

Fran Dorsch, a 67-year-old resident of Ventana Lakes, said she was at the swimming pool behind the club with her grandchildren when people came out of the building screaming.

“I thought they were fighting with each other, but then they said a man had a gun,” she said. “I heard the shots, ‘Pop, pop, pop.’ ”

One woman died after being transported to John C. Lincoln Hospital-North Mountain, said hospital spokeswoman Susan Fuchs.

The Arizona Republic reported on its Web site that the 75-year-old woman was shot in the head and shoulders. Her identity had not been released.

Victims Charles Yankowski, 69, and Gilbert McCurdy, 63, were both listed in fair condition at Lincoln Hospital, said spokeswoman Polly McGary.

Two other victims were being treated at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, said hospital spokeswoman Catherine Menor.

One victim, a woman with bullet wounds to the head and shoulder, was listed in extremely critical condition. A man was listed in stable condition with a chest wound.

A sixth person was also taken to the hospital, though police said that person had not been shot.

The community has about 1,400 homes amid man-made lakes, tennis courts and grassy common areas.

The shooting came a day after a man opened fire at a senior citizens apartment complex in Michigan, killing two women and critically wounding another.

In that case, authorities said, the the shootings occurred during a meeting called by tenants to discuss accusations that the alleged gunman had used vulgar language.