FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA, October 31, 2026 — One person was killed and six others were wounded Friday evening when gunfire erupted inside a Spirit Halloween store at Solano Town Center, a shopping mall in Fairfield, California, just hours before Halloween.
According to the Fairfield Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 8:30 p.m. on October 30.
Seven people were found with gunshot wounds. One victim died, while six others were transported to nearby hospitals. At least three of the surviving victims were reported to be in critical condition.
The identities and ages of the victims have not yet been released.
Panic Inside the Shopping Mall
The shooting occurred as customers were visiting the seasonal Halloween store for costumes, decorations, and last-minute holiday supplies.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion and panic as shoppers and employees attempted to escape the area.
Some people ran from nearby businesses, while others sought shelter as emergency responders arrived.
Police officers, firefighters, and medical teams quickly surrounded the shopping center.
Fairfield Police Chief Dan Marshall said preliminary information suggested that the shooting was centered on the Spirit Halloween store, although investigators were still examining the circumstances.
Police Search for Suspect
As of Saturday morning, authorities had not announced any arrests.
Investigators were interviewing witnesses, examining surveillance footage, and collecting evidence from the scene.
Police had not publicly identified a suspect or established a motive for the shooting.
Authorities were also investigating whether more than one person may have been involved.
The Fairfield Police Department was assisted by neighboring law enforcement agencies, including the California Highway Patrol and Suisun City police.
The FBI’s Sacramento office also announced that its evidence response team would assist local investigators.
Families Flee as Gunfire Erupts
Witnesses reported seeing shoppers running from the mall after hearing gunshots.
One woman told the Los Angeles Times that she and her son were waiting in a vehicle near the shopping center when they saw people fleeing and screaming.
They reportedly took cover inside their car until police arrived.
Other witnesses described receiving frightened telephone calls from relatives working in nearby stores.
The shooting disrupted what would normally have been a busy evening of shopping ahead of Halloween.
Investigation Continues
Fairfield police said the shopping center remained an active crime scene as investigators worked to reconstruct the events leading to the shooting.
Officials have not established whether the victims were specifically targeted or whether the violence resulted from another type of confrontation.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and urged the public not to circulate unverified information.
Community Awaits Answers
The shooting has left the Fairfield community confronting a tragedy on the eve of a holiday traditionally associated with family activities and celebrations.
With one person dead and several others hospitalized, investigators are focused on identifying those responsible and determining what led to the violence.
As of Saturday morning, no arrests had been announced, and authorities had not released a possible motive. The investigation remains active.
Sources: Associated Press, October 31, 2026; ABC News, October 31, 2026; Los Angeles Times, October 31, 2026; Fairfield Police Department.
By NJ RADAR Team