Witnesses Recall Panic at Spirit Halloween as Fairfield Investigators Review Evidence

 A Friday evening shopping trip at a Halloween store in Fairfield, California, ended in tragedy when gunfire left one person dead and six others injured. The shooting happened at approximately 8:30 p.m. on October 30, 2026, inside the Spirit Halloween store at Solano Town Center. At least three of the surviving victims were reported to be in critical condition, as authorities began investigating what happened. The shooting unsettled shoppers and workers alike.

Fairfield Police Department officers responded after receiving reports of gunfire at the mall. When they arrived, officers found seven people with gunshot wounds, police said. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while the six others were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Authorities had not released the victims’ names or ages in the information available Saturday morning, leaving families and the community awaiting further identification and updates. Their conditions remained a central concern.

The shooting unfolded during the final days of October, when shoppers were visiting stores ahead of Halloween. Solano Town Center is in Fairfield, about 45 miles northeast of San Francisco. Witness accounts described a sudden rush of people leaving the Spirit Halloween store, with families and other shoppers trying to reach safety. People in nearby businesses also reacted to the reports of gunfire as the emergency response quickly expanded across the shopping center. Police responded across the mall.

Daniela Seabra Rios told the Los Angeles Times that she and her son were sitting in a vehicle in a parking lot across from the store when they noticed crowds running from the building. She described seeing many people fleeing and hearing screams, including families with children among those leaving. Concerned for their safety, Rios and her son lowered themselves inside their vehicle and stayed there until police arrived. Her account showed the confusion outside. They remained there until officers reached the area.

Another witness, David Bernal, said his wife had been shopping near the wig section when the shooting began. According to Bernal, she heard about five loud shots before shoppers started screaming and running. She escaped through an emergency exit and later returned home safely, although the experience left her shaken. Her account described the sudden disruption inside the store and the effort to get away from the unfolding emergency. Bernal spoke.

The effects extended beyond Spirit Halloween as employees and customers at neighboring businesses responded to the sounds. One woman said her 24-year-old daughter, who works at the mall’s Ulta Beauty store, called in distress after hearing several shots while staff were preparing to close. The daughter was able to contact her mother, who shared the account with reporters. The incident affected people beyond the store.

The emergency response included Fairfield police, California Highway Patrol officers, Suisun City police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Officers searched the mall while investigators interviewed witnesses and collected evidence. During a late-night press conference, Police Chief Dan Marshall said investigators were still working to establish what had happened. He also said authorities hoped surveillance cameras throughout the shopping center would provide useful evidence during review. Investigators were examining scene information.

As of Saturday morning, investigators had not publicly identified a suspect, announced any arrests, or established a motive. Police had also not determined whether the victims were specifically targeted. The identities and ages of those affected remained unreleased in the available account. With six people hospitalized and one person dead, the investigation continued as authorities worked to answer questions about the shooting and provide further information publicly.