“The only thing that we can confirm at this time,” Mr. Ngo added, “is that, on the day of the incident, he had picked up some food and that he was on his way to deliver the food to his Bible study group.”

Jay Boyarsky, chief assistant district attorney of Santa Clara County, said at the news conference that “there is no hate crime allegation at this point in time, for one reason only: the matter is still being investigated.” Some of the charges Mr. Peoples already faces carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Mr. Boyarsky added that there was “very appalling and disturbing evidence” that at least one or two of the victims were targeted “based on the defendant’s view of what their race or religion may have been.”