SAN JOSE, Calif. — Authorities now say the gunman in Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Valley Transportation Authority light rail facility had long been angry about his workplace, something federal officials had discovered well before the shooting.
A ninth victim died of injuries from the shooting late Wednesday. The victims, men ages 29 to 63, were all employees at the maintenance facility, and all those who were shot have died.The shooter, 57-year-old Samuel Cassidy, also died of self-inflicted wounds.
The New York Times reports that when Cassidy returned from a trip to the Philippines in 2016, customs officials found books about terrorism and a notebook detailing his anger toward the VTA, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Homeland Security Department declined to comment, citing the investigation into the shooting. Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Deputy Russell Davis said the investigation had showed “the suspect has been a highly disgruntled VTA employee for many years, which may have contributed to why he targeted VTA employees.”
The VTA has cancelled light rail service until further notice. In a statement, the agency said, “We do not have the words to express the weight of this moment. We are grateful to our community for their love and support as we mourn the loss of nine victims of the horrific event of Wednesday, May 26, 2021.” Hundreds of people attended a vigil for the victims Thursday night at the San Jose City Hall Plaza.
The victims were described as a close-knit group who mostly worked with the electrical system for light rail network, as substation maintainers, overhead lineworkers, and electromechanics.
CNN reports that Cassidy was armed with three semi-automatic handguns and 32 high-capacity magazines, and fired 39 rounds during the attack. Witnesses have said Cassidy told a union official who was present that he would not be shot, and that the gunman appeared to select who he shot while bypassing others.
A fire broke out at Cassidy’s home at approximately the same time as the shooting. An FBI agent told CNN investigators had recovered Molotov cocktains and multiple weapons at the residence. Authorities say they are still trying to determine a motive for the attacks.
If you hate your job so much why not just quit? Why kill others because you’re unhappy working there?
Have we now reached a point where employees must periodically pass a psychological screening as well as one for drugs?
AL DiCENSO – We have reached the point where nothing works anymore.