SAN JOSE, Calif. â In one of the Bay Areaâs worst mass shootings, a Valley Transportation Authority employee known for nursing grievances and a hot temper opened fire early Wednesday morning at a VTA light rail yard building, killing eight people and wounding others before taking his own life, authorities said.
Rochelle Hawkins, a VTA mechanic, said when she heard shots she dropped her phone.
âI was running so fast, I just ran for my life,â she said. âI would hope everyone would just pray for the VTA family. Just pray for us.â
The gunman was identified by multiple sources as Samuel Cassidy, a 57-year-old VTA maintenance worker. Authorities would not say what might have led to the rampage, what type of weapon was used or whether he obtained it legally.