San Jose shooting: 8 dead at VTA rail yard in California as police confirm shooter took his own life
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Eight people were killed when a gunman opened fire at a light rail facility on Wednesday in San Jose, California, according to police. The suspected gunman, an employee at the facility, is also dead, according to officials.
The shooting occurred during a union meeting at a California light rail yard around 6.30am local time. Santa Clara Sheriff’s deputy Russell Davis was initially short on details about the shooting, telling reporters that there were “multiple fatalities” and “multiple injuries”.
Mr Davis confirmed the shooter was no longer a threat but did not specify a cause of death for the suspect, though reports are that he took his own life. He has since been named by local media, but officials are declining to officially identify him.
A nearby house fire that occurred at approximately the same time is being investigated, the FBI is on-site, and the bomb squad has been activated at both locations.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is in charge of the maintenance facility, which services rail, bus, and shuttle transportation. Rail service was suspended at noon local time.
Authorities to give update on shooting shortly
CNN reported that authorities in San Jose, California will give an update on the reported mass shooting at about 11:30am ET.
‘Multiple injuries’ and ‘multiple fatalities’
Sheriff deputy Russell Davis would not specify the death toll and extent of injuries, telling reporters only that there were “multiple injuries” and “multiple fatalities” in the shooting.
Police to give another update in an hour
Sheriff deputy Davis did not share many specifics about the reported mass shooting in San Jose, but he told reporters that police would give another update in about an hour.
Six to seven fatalities in shooting, according to local report
As many as six to seven people were killed in the shooting, according to Len Ramirez of CBS affiliate KPIX.
San Jose mayor offers condolences to families of shooting victims
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo offered condolences to the families of the shooting victims, adding that authorities would provide another update at 12.30pm local time.
VTA spokesperson says light rail building not open to the public
VTA spokesperson Brandi Childress told ABC7 that the light rail maintenance facility is not open to the public, meaning the suspected gunman would need employee access to gain entry, or could have broken in.
“We ask for people’s prayers,” Ms Childress told the news station.
The location of the shooting
The shooting occurred on the 100 block of W Younger Avenue in San Jose. Here’s the precise location on Google Maps:
Grief counselors on hand to support families and employees
Grief counselors are standing by to support employees and family members affected by the shooting, according to the Valley Transportation Authority.
California governor monitoring situation
California’s governor Gavin Newsom has tweeted that he is in close contact with local law enforcement and is monitoring the situation.
Shooting happened at ‘busiest time of day'
Raj Singh, the recording and financial secretary for Amalgamated Transit Union local 265, which represents VTA operators, says that the shooting happened during the busiest time of day at the maintenance facility, when operators and maintenance workers are getting ready for the start of the day’s service.
A tweet from the VTA gives some insight into the situation: