One Dead and Six Injured in California Halloween Store Shooting

A late-night shooting inside a Halloween store in California has left one person dead and six others injured on the eve of the holiday. The incident occurred Friday at a Spirit Halloween store located at the Solano Town Center in Fairfield.

The Victims

Thirty-one-year-old Constance Hages was killed in the shooting, and family members told detectives that she was pregnant. Police are working to confirm this detail with the Solano County Coroner. All seven victims sustained gunshot wounds. Three males aged 16, 19, and 32 are in critical condition. A 23-year-old male is hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Two other males aged 19 and 43 were treated and released from the hospital.

Investigation

Fairfield Police state that preliminary findings point to a targeted incident involving one suspect inside the store. Detectives are actively interviewing witnesses and working to identify the shooter. Fairfield is situated about 37 miles northeast of Sacramento. In a separate incident on Friday, police in Madison Heights, Michigan, reported another fatal shooting at a Spirit Halloween store involving two young men.

Context

Retail stores and shopping centers during holiday shopping periods often see large crowds, which can complicate public safety responses during violent incidents. Investigators rely heavily on witness statements and physical evidence gathered at the scene to piece together events when suspects flee before police arrive.