- Multiple people were shot at the VTA in
San Jose ,California , on Wednesday morning. - Nine people and the shooter were killed in the shooting at the rail yard, authorities confirmed.
- Authorities are also investigating reports of explosive devices inside a building at the rail yard.
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The shooter, identified by local
The shooter is deceased, said Sgt. Russell Davis, a spokesperson for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department.
On Wednesday night, the victims were identified by the Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner-Coroner as Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Taptejdeep Singh, 36; Adrian Balleza, 29; Jose Dejesus Hernandez III, 35; Timothy Michael Romo, 49; Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40; Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63; and Lars Kepler Lane, 63; Alex Ward Fritch, 49.
VTA employees were among those injured, authorities said. The altercation appeared to be a workplace dispute, and riders were not involved, sources told the LA Times.
Glenn Hendricks, the chairman of VTA's board, told reporters on Wednesday morning that the shooting happened in the VTA light rail yard, where the organization does maintenance on vehicles and where vehicles are dispatched.
Authorities are investigating reports of explosive devices inside the VTA building and the bomb squad was working to clear the building.
"This is a horrific day for our city," said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo at a press conference. "It's a tragic day for the VTA family, and our heart pains for the families and the coworkers because we know that so many are feeling deeply this loss of their loved ones and their friends." The mayor later announced a relief fund for the victims and a vigil at 6 p.m. local time.
Sgt. Davis told reporters in an afternoon press conference that authorities suspect the shooter killed himself on the scene. He also did not share what type of gun was used in the attack.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement on Wednesday, which called on Congress to take action on gun control.
"I have the solemn duty of yet again of ordering the flag to be lowered at half-staff, just weeks after doing so following the mass shootings at spas in and around Atlanta; in a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado; at a home in Rock Hill, South Carolina; and at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Enough," the statement said.
"Once again, I urge Congress to take immediate action and heed the call of the American people, including the vast majority of gun owners, to help end this epidemic of gun violence in America. Every life that is taken by a bullet pierces the soul of our nation. We can, and we must, do more," the statement added.
At a press conference in San Jose on Wednesday afternoon, California Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed his condolences for the victims and expressed frustration with the status quo on gun violence.
"All of us gathered here today, looking at the scene, listening to governors, mayors, chiefs, speaking, similar tone and terms, expression of condolences, all the right emotions and perhaps the right words, but it begs the damn question," he said, "What the hell is wrong in the United States of America? What the hell is wrong with us?"
"And when are we going to come to grips with this and put down our arms literally and figuratively? Our politics, stale rhetoric, finger-pointing, all the hand wringing consternation that produces nothing but more fury and frustration, more scenes like this repeated over and over and over again," Newsom added. "I say that not as a governor, but as a father of four and as a member of the community who cares deeply about it. So, we will have time to work through all of that."