Gunman Kills 1 and Wounds 6 at Spirit Halloween Store in California Mall, Sparking Manhunt

FAIRFIELD, Calif., Oct. 31 (TodayViralUSA) — Police in Northern California were searching Saturday for a gunman who opened fire inside a crowded Spirit Halloween store on the eve of Halloween, killing one person and wounding six others as families shopped for last-minute costumes and decorations.

Officers were called to the store inside the Solano Town Center mall in Fairfield, about 45 miles northeast of San Francisco, at about 8:30 p.m. Friday. Seven people had been shot. One died, and the other six were taken to area hospitals, at least three of them in critical condition, the Fairfield Police Department said.

No arrest yet

As of Saturday morning, no one had been taken into custody and police had not released a description of a suspect or said how many shots were fired. The identities and ages of the victims have not been made public. Detectives were interviewing witnesses and hoped security cameras would help identify the person or people responsible.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this heartbreaking incident,” Police Chief Dan Marshall said at a news conference shortly before midnight. “I know the mall has cameras, so hopefully we’ll get some of that footage.”

Neighboring Suisun City sent officers to help with the wounded and the search, and the California Highway Patrol assisted with traffic control and with clearing buildings at the mall.

Shoppers fled through emergency exits

David Bernal told KCRA, the NBC affiliate in Sacramento, that his wife was inside the store when the shooting started and heard “five big bangs.” She escaped with several other shoppers through an emergency exit and made her way out the far side of the mall. “She’s at home right now, still in shock,” he said.

Suisun City Mayor Alma Hernandez asked residents to pray for the victims and their families, “and for the officers working to bring the suspect into custody.”

Second Spirit Halloween shooting in a day

The Fairfield attack came hours after a separate fatal shooting inside a Spirit Halloween store in Madison Heights, Michigan, where police said a 21-year-old Detroit man was killed. The alleged shooter, also 21, was detained after bystanders subdued him, and police said they expect to seek charges. Authorities said the two shootings do not appear to be connected.

Fairfield police are asking anyone with information to call the department at 707-428-7600 or email Show email.