A shopper at a seasonal Halloween store in California described a terrifying escape after gunfire erupted inside the retail space, leaving one person dead and six others wounded. The violent incident unfolded Friday evening at a pop-up Spirit Halloween location situated within the Solano Town Center mall in Fairfield. Authorities confirmed that the shooting began at approximately 8:30 p.m., striking a total of seven victims.
David Bernal spoke about the ordeal experienced by his wife, who was browsing inside the store when the gunfire started. She remains at home and in a state of shock, according to Bernal. He noted that she heard five loud blasts, describing them as significant bangs before fleeing for safety. Utilizing an exit located on the opposite side of the mall, she managed to escape uninjured.
First responders and local law enforcement rushed to the shopping center following emergency calls. Investigators stated that among the seven individuals struck by gunfire, one person succumbed to their injuries. Three other victims remained hospitalized in critical condition following the late-night attack.
Law enforcement officials launched an extensive manhunt as detectives worked to track down those responsible. During a press conference, the Fairfield Police Department declined to specify whether investigators were searching for a single gunman or multiple suspects, and confirmed that no arrests had been made.
Fairfield Police Department Chief Dan Marshall addressed the ongoing investigation during the briefing. This remains a very active crime scene while detectives interview witnesses and diligently work to identify the suspect responsible for this horrific shooting, Marshall said.
