By: Scripps National
Eight people were killed and several more were injured Wednesday morning when a gunman opened fire at a rail yard near San Jose, California.
The suspect, whose name was not released, is also dead. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) could not comment on how the shooter died.
In a press conference, Russell Davis, a spokesperson for the SCSO, said the suspect was an employee at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) maintenance rail yard where he opened fire.
“This is a very dark moment for our city and our community,” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said at a press conference. “These are and were essential workers. They helped us get through a horrific pandemic.”
Davis added that the SCSO had received information that there may be explosives in the building. He said the building has been evacuated and the agency is in the process of clearing it.
The FBI is on the scene assisting in the investigation.
“It’s a sizable crime scene and it’s going to take some time to process,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair said.
The VTA president announced during a press conference that the agency would be suspending light rail service beginning at noon local time. He said the agency would be increasing bus services to bridge the gap vacated by the lack of rail service.
“We are in close contact with local law enforcement and monitoring this situation closely,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a tweet.
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Mike Wasserman ordered flags be lowered to half staff in the country to honor the victims of the shooting.
“I’m just so in shock that something like this would happen in Santa Clara County,” Wasserman said.
Officials said they would hold another press briefing at 1:30 p.m. PT.
Original Link: https://www.wcpo.com/news/national/police-responding-to-shooting-in-downtown-san-jose
Reposted with permission from WCPO 9 Cincinnati