SAN JOSE – A shooting on the Valley Transportation Authority's Chaboya Division Yard left a VTA worker dead Friday night in what officials say was an isolated incident.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office was actively investigating the shooting that occurred within the Chaboya Division parking zone at 2240 South seventh Street in San Jose. A 911 call around 9:40 p.m. Friday night alerted authorities to the incident; San Jose Fire Department and county EMS personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced the male victim dead, Officer Brooks Jarosz, senior communications officer for the sheriff's office, said in an email.
The victim's name will likely be released publicly after authorities have confirmed his identity and informed his next of kin.
Authorities didn’t announce any arrests or release any details about any suspect or suspects in reference to the shooting Saturday morning.
“The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is investigating what appears to be an isolated incident, and VTA has no further information to report at this time,” VTA Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Gonot said during a press conference late Saturday morning. “We have informed staff and our board of directors and have offered mental health support.”
VTA employees were shocked and confused, Raj Singh, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, said Saturday. Some employees had just gotten off work on the time of the shooting, Singh said, while others learned of the incident through text messages.
He encouraged employees to benefit from mental health resources as more information is collected.
“Let's be patient and let law enforcement do their job,” Singh said. “For those of you sitting here looking for answers, I just want you to know that you are not alone. We have resources available in the department.”
In addition to providing mental health support, Santa Clara Supervisor Cindy Chavez, who also chairs the Valley Transportation Authority's board of directors, said security measures at depots could be increased over the weekend. She also encouraged the general public to proceed using public transportation and reiterated that authorities imagine the shooting was an isolated incident.
“While we believe this is an isolated incident, we want them to feel safe,” Chavez said. “We are really protecting each other and thinking very critically about our next steps as a community.”
Anyone with information concerning the incident is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 408-808-4500 or contact the Sheriff's Office anonymous tip line at 408-808-4431.
This is a developing report, check back later for updates.
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