Police said the attack inside Solano Town Center was targeted and involved one suspect, who had not been publicly identified.
FAIRFIELD, Calif. — One person was killed and six others were wounded in a shooting inside a Spirit Halloween store at Solano Town Center on Friday night, authorities said, prompting a large police response and an investigation that continued into Halloween.
Fairfield police said officers responded to the shopping center about 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30 and found seven people with gunshot wounds. One victim died at the scene, while the six surviving victims were taken to hospitals. At least three were reported in critical condition. By Saturday, investigators said preliminary evidence indicated the shooting stemmed from a targeted incident involving one suspect inside the store.
The shooting happened on the eve of Halloween while customers were shopping at the seasonal costume and decoration store. Police initially said they were working to determine whether one or more people were responsible. In a later update Saturday, the department narrowed its investigation to a single suspect. Authorities had not announced an arrest or released a suspect description as of the latest public reports.
Investigators were reviewing video and other evidence and interviewing witnesses as they worked to identify the person responsible. The FBI’s Sacramento office said its Evidence Response Team was assisting Fairfield police. Other agencies that responded included the California Highway Patrol, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office and Suisun City police, along with firefighters and emergency medical crews.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that family members identified the woman who died as Constance Hages, 31, and said she was pregnant. Police had said they were not formally releasing the identities of the victims. The Chronicle reported that a 16-year-old boy and men ages 19 and 32 were critically injured, while a 23-year-old man remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Two other men, ages 19 and 43, were treated and released.
Witnesses described shoppers fleeing or taking cover when the gunfire began. Javier Espinoza told the Chronicle that he and his girlfriend, Alicia Reyes, were near the back of the store when they heard shots and hid with other customers. The group eventually lifted a security barrier enough to escape into the mall and leave through an emergency exit. Other witnesses told news organizations that police searched nearby areas of the shopping center as officers tried to determine whether the shooter was still inside.
Fairfield Police Chief Dan Marshall said late Friday that the shooting appeared to be centered inside the Spirit Halloween store. Police said there was no continuing threat to the public, but they did not disclose what may have led to the shooting or explain why investigators believed it was targeted. A motive remained unknown publicly Saturday.
Spirit Halloween said in a statement that it was deeply saddened by the shooting and was cooperating with law enforcement. The company said the Fairfield store would remain closed until further notice. Solano Town Center remained open Saturday, but the mall canceled a Halloween trick-or-treating event that had been planned for later in the day.
The shooting unsettled Fairfield as families prepared for Halloween activities. Police acknowledged the concern surrounding the attack and said detectives continued to examine evidence. Fairfield is in Solano County, about 37 miles southwest of Sacramento, and has a population of roughly 120,000.
No arrest had been announced by Saturday afternoon. Police were continuing to search for the suspect and had not publicly released a description or possible motive. The investigation remained active with federal and local authorities assisting.