Multiple Dead at San Jose Rail Yard Shooting

Multiple Dead at San Jose Rail Yard Shooting

More than a half dozen people have been shot and killed as a public transit employee open fire on coworkers at a Northern California rail yard this morning. The rail yard is located in downtown San Jose, about 50 miles south of downtown San Francisco.

At least eight people were killed before the shooter (Samuel Cassidy, 57), a railway technician, took his own life. He was an employee of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). The shooter began his path of destruction before 6:30 a.m. local time as fire crews were dispatched to his home, which he had set on fire. He arrived on site and began shooting during a union meeting.

The active shooter call brought numerous law enforcement representatives to the scene, even while the shooter was still active inside a building. Once the shooter took his own life, a bomb squad was activated to clear the area of potential explosives.

"This is a horrific day for our city and it is a tragic day for the VTA family, and 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 their friends," San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo told reporters at the scene.

The area of the shooting is a light rail yard, which also provides bus, rail and some shuttle services. This area also is described as a control center, but is not part of the operations control center.

The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear at this time.

This is a developing story, and will be updated as more information becomes available.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Progressing in Capabilities

    Progressing in Capabilities

    Hazardous areas within industries like oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture and the like, have long-sought reliable video surveillance cameras and equipment that can operate safely in these harsh and unpredictable environments. Read Now

  • A Comprehensive Nationwide Solution

    A Comprehensive Nationwide Solution

    Across the United States, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, truck yards, parking lots and car dealerships all have a common concern. They are targets for catalytic converters. In nearly every region, cases of catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed. Read Now

  • Planning for Your Perimeter

    Planning for Your Perimeter

    The perimeter is an organization’s first line of defense and a critical element of any security and surveillance program. Even if a building’s interior or exterior security is strong, without a solid perimeter surveillance approach any company or business is vulnerable. Read Now

  • The Key Issue

    The Key Issue

    It is February 2014. A woman is getting ready in her room on a cruise ship when she hears a knock on the door; it is a crewmember delivering breakfast. She is not presentable so she tells him to leave it by the door. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • Genetec Security Center

    Genetec Security Center

    This major new release allows more system components to run in the cloud, reducing the gap between cloud and on-premises security systems. It also makes it easier to connect external systems and tap external data for use in dashboards, maps and investigations without relying on complex, specialized integrations. 3

  • VideoEdge 2U High Capacity Network Video Recorder

    VideoEdge 2U High Capacity Network Video Recorder

    Johnson Controls announces a powerful recording solution to meet demanding requirements with its VideoEdge 2U High Capacity Network Video Recorder. This solution combines the powerful capabilities of victor with the intelligence of VideoEdge NVRs, fueled by Tyco Artificial Intelligence, for video management that provides actionable insights to save time, money and lives. 3

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3