A gunman at a transit station in San Jose, California, on Wednesday morning opened fire, killing at least eight victims, local authorities confirmed, noting the alleged suspect was also dead.
The latest: President Biden ordered White House flags, and those of public buildings and grounds "throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions" to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims through sunset this Sunday.
- At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Santa Clara County sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Russell Davis confirmed that "deputies did not exchange gunfire" with the shooter, and for now officials believe the shooter's death was "self-inflicted."
- Davis noted the attack also resulted in “multiple major injuries.”
- Authorities have emphasized the investigation is ongoing and all findings remain "preliminary" at this time.
What we know: Davis said the assailant was an employee of the Valley Transportation Authority, which provides bus, light rail and other transit services throughout Santa Clara, the biggest county in the Bay Area. How the shooter died remains undetermined according to County Sheriff Laurie Smith, per AP. ...
- The shooting took place around 6:30 a.m. local time at the VTA, a "transit control center that stores trains and has a maintenance yard," per AP. It is not yet known whether the attack took place in or outdoors.
- Davis explained that explosives were found on the scene after the shooting and a bomb squad is investigating. Smith added the area has been "cordoned off" and doesn't currently pose a threat to the public.
- Both the suspected shooter and several victims were VTA employees, local officials said. Authorities have not yet named