A FILIPINO was among the eight fatalities in the latest mass shooting in the United States, this time involving transportation workers in San Jose, California, according to the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco.
The Filipino was identified as Paul dela Cruz Megia, 42, one of the eight employees of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) who were shot dead by a man described as a disgruntled worker. The shocking shooting at the San Jose Railyard provoked new calls to end gun violence in the US.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Consulate General is coordinating with American authorities to get more information and is ready to extend any assistance, if warranted.
Authorities earlier identified the other victims as:
- Taptejdeep Singh, 36
- Adrian Balleza, 29
- Jose Dejesus Hernandez III, 35
- Timothy Michael Romo, 49
- Michael Rudometkin, 40
- Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63
- Lars Lane, 63
Authorities said the shooter, Samuel Cassidy, also a VTA employee, killed himself after opening fire on his coworkers during a meeting.
Local news reports quoted coworkers and the shooter’s ex-wife describing him as being often very angry about his work. His ex-wife said he used to say he wanted to kill his coworkers but that she never thought he would take it seriously.
Local officials said the shooting, initially reported before 7:00 a.m. local time (10 p.m. Wednesday in Manila), took place at an employee meeting, with at least 80 staff on site at the time.
Cassidy had worked at the light rail yard for at least eight years, according to public records. He reportedly shot virtually everyone on the morning shift, including some he had worked with for years.
At Cassidy’s three-bedroom home on Angmar Court in San Jose, investigators discovered firearms and a large amount of ammunition, according to reports.
His ex-wife had filed a restraining order against him in 2009, according to court records.
US President Joe Biden called the incident a “horrific tragedy” and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff, saying in a statement: “There are at least eight families who will never be whole again.”
“Once again, I urge Congress to take immediate action and heed the call of the American people, including the vast majority of gun owners, to help end this epidemic of gun violence in America,” he said.