Eight killed in shooting at San Jose rail yard

A shooting at a Valley Transportation Authority light rail maintenance yard in San Jose, California on Wednesday morning left eight people dead, reports The New York Times. The suspected gunman, a VTA employee, is also dead, authorities told CNN.

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said in an emotional press briefing: "This is a horrific day for our city, and it's a tragic day for the VTA family." After first helping the community heal and mourn, Liccardo says his attention will then "immediately" turn toward ensuring "this never happens again" in San Jose.

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"We are in a very dark moment, but I am heartened to see the response of the VTA family coming together," he added.

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Police were called to the scene at 6:34 a.m. PT, after "multiple victims" had already been shot, per CNN. A bomb squad later searched the scene for explosive devices, reports The New York Times.

Liccardo also confirmed a fire at the suspect shooter's house with nobody inside, the Times reports. "Hundreds of rounds of ammunition" were found inside.

A possible motive has not yet been identified as the investigation continues. Read more at CNN.

Update 5 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to reflect new reporting on the number of victims in the shooting.

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Brigid Kennedy

Brigid is a staff writer at The Week and a graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Her passions include improv comedy, David Fincher films, and breakfast food. She lives in New York.