San Jose mass shooting: Who are the eight killed? Victims' ages ranged from 29 to 63
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA: A gunman opened fire on Wednesday morning, May 26, at a public transit rail yard in San Jose, killing at least eight co-workers and wounding others. Now, the names of the dead have been released.
Deputy Russell Davis of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said that the gunman was an employee of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). The gunman, identified as Sam Cassidy, is dead, Davis said. Law enforcement officers didn't exchange gunfire with the gunman and investigators reportedly believe he took his own life.
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Who are the victims?
The eight victims of a mass shooting have been identified. The victims, who ranged from ages 29 to 63, were identified by the Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner-Coroner.
The victims were 42-year-old Paul Delacruz Megia, 36-year-old Taptejdeep Singh, 29-year-old Adrian Balleza, 35-year-old Jose Dejesus Hernandez III, 49-year-old Timothy Michael Romo, 40-year-old Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 63-year-old Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, and 63-year-old Lars Kepler Lane.
Taptejdeep Singh was reportedly a married father of two young children. Michael Rudometkin, who was also married, had been working as an overhead line worker at VTA since 2018. San Jose councilman Raul Peralez paid tribute to Rudometkin in a Facebook post. “My dad and I were just planning another golf day reunion with Mikey, and now that will never happen again. My family and I have lost a long-time great friend and there are no words to describe the heartache we are feeling right now, especially for his family,” he wrote.
A friend of Paul Megia reportedly also paid tribute on Facebook, describing him as a "ray of sunshine,” adding, “My heart is broken for your kids and family." Lars Lane was described as a loving “husband, brother, father and grandfather” by relatives who spoke with reporters. His brother, Edward Lane said that he was devastated by the “horrible” situation.
As per reports, the eight will be honored on Thursday night, May 27, at an event at the San Jose City Hall Plaza. CNN reported that a ninth victim, who has yet not been identified, is still hospitalized and in a critical condition.
How the tragedy unfolded
As per reports, the shooting began just after 6.30 am PT when several 911 calls reported shots fired near a VTA control center. It happened as employees from the midnight shift and the day shift overlapped.
The shooting occurred in the VTA rail yard at a time when light rail was starting up for the day, VTA Board Chairperson Glenn Hendricks said. The yard is where the VTA vehicles are maintained and dispatched. Deputy Davis said law enforcement officers didn't exchange gunfire. "I know for sure that when the suspect knew the law enforcement was there, he took his own life, our deputies were right there at that time," Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith.
Sam Cassidy, as per his ex-wife, spoke angrily about his coworkers and resented his work. “He had two sides,” Cassidy’s ex-wife Cecilia Nelms said. “When he was in a good mood, he was a great guy. When he was mad, he was mad.” Nelms also said, “He often spoke angrily about his co-workers and bosses,” and at times also directed his anger at her.