Gunman among Nine Dead in CA Rail Yard Shooting

May 26—A shooting Wednesday morning at a California light rail yard killed eight people and left others with "major injuries," authorities say.

The suspect, who is also dead, was an employee at the facility, Santa Clara County Sheriff's spokesperson Russell Davis said at a briefing.

There are reports of explosive devices inside the building and bomb squads are checking the facility, delaying the investigation, Davis said.

"We're trying to clear out every room and every crevice of that building," he said.

Sheriff Laurie Smith said sheriff's bomb K-9s had "alerted" in the building.

Davis could not say how the shooting unfolded or whether law enforcement officers shot the gunman.

"Everything is preliminary," Davis said, according to The Mercury News. "It just happened."

'A horrible tragedy'

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at 6:34 a.m. at the Valley Transportation Authority light rail yard in San Jose, The Mercury News reported. The yard is next to the Santa Clara Sheriff's Department headquarters.

The mother of a worker at the rail yard told KTVU that gunfire erupted during a union meeting. but Davis said he could not confirm that information.

San Jose City Councilman Raul Peralez also said in a briefing that the shooting took place during a union meeting. He said about 80 people were at work at the facility at the time.

Multiple tactical teams and firefighters helped evacuate workers from the facility, Davis said at a 9:30 a.m. Pacific time news briefing.

"A horrible tragedy has happened today," said Glenn Hendricks, chair of the VTA board of directors, at the briefing. "Our thoughts and love go out to the VTA family, the organization and what they have had to go through."

Hendricks said the shooting took place in the maintenance yard, not the control center, but light rail service will be suspended at noon Pacific time.

"VTA is a family," Hendricks said. "People in the organization know everyone."

"This is a horrific day for our city," said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, who vowed to do everything he could to "ensure this never happens again in our city."

"We are in a very dark moment," Liccardo said at the briefing.

In a later interview with reporters, Liccardo said a fire had been reported at the home of the suspected gunman.

"We ask for people's prayers," said VTA spokesperson Brandi Childress, KGO reported. Childress said the facility is not open to the general public.

The agency operates three light rail lines and more than 70 bus routes, USA Today reported.

It employs more than 2,000 people, according to a VTA informational flier.

Politicians weigh in

Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Twitter that California officials are "monitoring this situation closely."

California Assemblyman Evan Low, D- Silicon Valley, wrote on Twitter that his "heart breaks for the people killed and injured this morning."

"But the threat of gun violence is a constant threat in American life — one that we have become so accustomed to that active-shooter exercises are taught in schools and workplaces with the same frequency as fire drills," Low wrote.

"And I hope we also acknowledge that the status quo on gun violence in this country is unsustainable if we are truly committed to building a safe and just society," he wrote.

"I'm just so in shock," said Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman at a briefing. He said flags will be flown at half-staff in the county.

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