One person was killed and six others were injured in a shooting that occurred on Friday night (October 30) at a Halloween store inside a shopping mall in California, U.S., causing panic among customers who were doing their last-minute shopping ahead of the holiday.
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The bloody incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. local time at the Spirit Halloween store in the Solano Town Center shopping mall in Fairfield, according to a statement by the local police chief, Dan Marshall.
One person was killed at the scene, while six others were transported to area hospitals. Three of the injured are in critical condition.
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 31, 2026
MASSIVE police presence after deadly shooting at Solano Town Center Mall in Fairfield, California One person was killed, and at least 6 others injured, with several in critical condition, after gunfire broke out at the Spirit Halloween store inside the mall The shooter is still on the loose Source: NBC / Writer: Ian https://t.co/HtZUhUPRWV
Authorities have not released the ages or identities of the victims, and it remains unknown who is behind the attack. So far, it has not been clarified whether there was one or more perpetrators, nor have the motives for the attack been revealed.
Panicked customers ran for their lives
At the time of the shooting, the store was open and full of customers, as many had rushed to buy costumes, decorations, and other items for Halloween, which is celebrated on October 31.
According to eyewitness accounts, the shooting caused scenes of panic, with dozens of people running toward the store’s exits and the parking lots.
A man, whose wife was at the mall, told KCRA that she heard about seven gunshots.
“She told me she heard gunshots and then saw people running, screaming, and crying,” he said, describing the moments that followed.
Another eyewitness account, reported by the local newspaper Vacaville Reporter, states that a Spirit Halloween employee fled to a nearby restaurant seeking shelter.
“I was at Chipotle when a girl who worked at Spirit came in and said they had come in and started shooting,” said an eyewitness.
Spirit Halloween is an American chain of seasonal stores that operate primarily in the run-up to Halloween. This particular store had been temporarily set up in a space that previously housed a Best Buy store.
Special forces officers entered a movie theater
A major police operation was launched immediately after the attack throughout the entire shopping center, as authorities sought to determine whether the perpetrator or perpetrators were still inside.
SWAT teams conducted searches of stores, aisles, and other areas, while police officers even entered a movie theater in the Regal Edwards complex, where about a dozen moviegoers were watching the horror film “Halloween.”
“The movie was nearing its end when suddenly a police officer in full SWAT gear walked in. He was holding a very large flashlight, shining it around the entire theater, and asked us if anyone had entered with a gun,” Caitlin Frye told CBS Sacramento.
The presence of the armed officer in the theater caused intense anxiety among the audience, some of whom were reminded of the mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, in Colorado, in 2012, when a gunman killed 12 people.
“I was scared when the police officer came in. I thought of the attack at the screening of *The Dark Knight* in Colorado, years ago,” said Marty McCoy, Fry’s partner.
“I told her I didn’t know what would happen when we got out of here. Remember: run, hide, fight. And that I love her, just in case,” he added.
The FBI is involved in the investigation
Police officers from multiple agencies participated in the operation, and the FBI is also assisting with the investigation.
The FBI’s Sacramento field office announced that it is sending a special evidence collection and analysis team to support the Fairfield Police Department’s investigation.
Police are reviewing security camera footage and taking statements from eyewitnesses in an effort to determine the circumstances of the attack and identify those responsible.
“This is still an active crime scene. Investigators are speaking with witnesses and working intensively to identify the suspect responsible for this horrific attack,” the police said in a statement.
As of the early hours of Saturday morning, no arrest had been announced.
Second deadly incident at a store within a few hours
The attack in California occurred just a few hours after another fatal shooting incident at a store in Michigan.
According to Madison Heights police, a 21-year-old man was found with multiple gunshot wounds shortly after 2:00 p.m. local time on Friday.
Another 21-year-old, who is considered a suspect in the murder, was attacked by bystanders and taken to a hospital while in police custody.
There is no information linking the two incidents.
Source: Proto Thema
