Absolutely heartbreaking news out of California on Halloween weekend.
One person is dead and six others are injured after a mass shooting at a Spirit Halloween store inside a shopping mall in Fairfield, California, on Friday night.
According to People and other outlets, officers with the city of Fairfield’s police department responded to reports of gunfire inside the costume store at the Solano Town Center mall around 8:30 p.m. on October 30 — of course, just one night before Halloween.
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Police confirmed that seven people suffered gunshot wounds during the horrific incident. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other six were rushed to nearby hospitals. At least three of those surviving victims were reported to be in critical condition. The identities of the victims have not yet been released, per People.
During a late-night press conference, Fairfield Police Chief Dan Marshall said the shooting appeared to have been confined to the Halloween store. However, even more scary, authorities were still working to identify those responsible.
He explained:
“There is still a very active crime scene and investigation going on right now. Detectives are speaking with witnesses and diligently working to identify the suspect or suspects responsible for this horrific shooting.”
Whoa…
Meanwhile, witnesses have described the terrifying chaos that unfolded as police rushed to the scene.
A woman named Caitlin Fry, who was watching a movie with her husband at the mall’s theater nearby, told CBS News Sacramento that a SWAT officer suddenly entered the screening room and asked whether anyone had seen someone carrying a gun.
Even more frightening, one man told NBC Bay Area that his wife was inside Spirit Halloween when the gunfire erupted. He said she called him in tears, desperately begging him to pick her up. According to the husband, she watched people duck down in the store’s aisles before crawling and attempting to escape.
Just awful.
In a statement to People, a Spirit Halloween spokesperson expressed condolences to the victims’ families and confirmed the company was cooperating with investigators. The Fairfield location will remain closed until further notice.
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Now, police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Fairfield Police Department at 707-428-7600.
What should have been a weekend of Halloween celebrations has instead become a devastating tragedy. Our hearts go out to the victims, their loved ones, and everyone affected by this senseless violence.
To learn more about the impact of gun violence, visit https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/gun-violence.
[Image via MEGA/WENN]