Gunman who killed five at Airbnb Halloween party in California still on the run

Police in a California residential community east of San Francisco were still looking Saturday for a suspect in a Halloween party shooting that has claimed a fifth life.

“The investigation into this incident is ongoing with numerous interviews of witnesses and the analysis of evidence. The suspect is still outstanding,” authorities said on Facebook late Friday.

Orinda police officers found a “highly chaotic” scene when they arrived late Thursday at the party with over 100 attendees, the statement said.

Three victims were found dead at the scene and two others were pronounced dead at a hospital, including one victim who died on Friday. The victims, all California residents, ranged in age from 19 to 29.

Several other people were treated for gunshot wounds and injuries they received while fleeing the scene at a home in the town of Orinda in an area of Contra Costa County with multimillion-dollar homes.

The event had been advertised on social media as a “mansion party” taking place at an Airbnb rental.

Airbnb issued a statement saying the party was unauthorised by the host. The statement, emailed to dpa, said Airbnb was “horrified by this tragedy” and offered to support the investigation. It also said the company has banned the booking guest.

Chief executive Brian Chesky announced a number of actions, including the creation of a dedicated “party house” rapid response team and immediate action against users who violate enhanced guest policies.

“We must do better, and we will. This is unacceptable,” Chesky said in a tweet.

Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement calling for changes in gun laws.

“This will barely make the news today,” he said in a Facebook post on Friday. “That's how numb we have become to this.”