Eight people were killed in a shooting Wednesday morning at a light rail facility in San Jose, California, and the suspect is also dead, authorities said. The suspect was an employee of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), which operates the rail yard, officials said.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, which is located next door to the transportation hub and maintenance yard, received multiple 911 calls for shots fired around 6:34 a.m. The VTA said employees were evacuated.
At an emotional press conference, VTA board chairman Glenn Hendricks and San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo pledged to support the loved ones and co-workers of victims.
Hendricks described the transportation agency as a “family” and said employees “know everyone.”
“This is a terrible tragedy and we will do everything we can to help people get through this,” Hendricks said.
Liccardo, who also serves on the VTA board, called it a “tragic day.”
“Our heart pains for the families and the co-workers, because we know so many are feeling deeply this loss of their loved ones and friends,” Liccardo said.
