Manhunt launched after California Spirit Halloween shooting leaves 1 dead, 6 injured

One person died and six others sustained gunshot wounds during a Friday night shooting at a Spirit Halloween store inside the Solano Town Center in Fairfield, California. The incident prompted a massive multi-agency response and an ongoing manhunt as investigators search for the gunman.

Panic gripped the Solano Town Center as gunfire echoed through the seasonal retail outlet on the eve of Halloween. The store, which occupies space within the shopping mall packed with shoppers, became the center of a chaotic emergency response around 8:30 p.m.

Fairfield Police Department Chief Dan Marshall confirmed during a late-night briefing that seven individuals suffered gunshot wounds. One victim died at the scene, while the six survivors were rushed to nearby medical facilities. At least three of the injured victims remained in critical condition.

Witness Accounts and Store Evacuations at Solano Town Center

Shoppers inside the mall described terrifying scenes as the shooting unfolded. David Bernal told local reporters that his wife was inside the store when the gunman opened fire, managing to escape with others through an emergency exit after hearing five big bangs, big ones, like loud according to coverage published by NBC News.

Halloween turned into a nightmare in California.A shooting at a Spirit Halloween store inside Solano Town Center mall in Fairfield left 7 people shot, including one fatality and at least 3 critically injured.suspect still at large. pic.twitter.com/1QTyTrDUnk
— https://x.com/Eng_china5/status/2116423158391841205

Another witness, Michelle Marie Anderson, told reporters she was dropping off her niece at the mall when she heard a young person call out for help after being shot outside the store, noting that everybody was running in panic. Employees from nearby eateries also reported workers fleeing into restaurants to warn customers that someone had entered the Halloween shop and started shooting.

The shopping center, identified as the largest enclosed shopping mall in Solano County located at 1350 Travis Blvd. near Interstate Highway 80, saw an intense influx of emergency services. Dispatch communications also noted an address of 1547 Gateway Blvd. for the seasonal store location.

Law Enforcement Response Across Fairfield

The violence drew an overwhelming mutual-aid response from regional law enforcement and emergency medical services.

Manhunt launched after California Spirit Halloween shooting leaves 1 dead, 6 injured — Photo: The Napa Valley Register

Special Weapons and Tactics teams methodically cleared both levels of the mall, sweeping service hallways and escorting trapped employees and customers to safety. Fairfield Police Chief Dan Marshall explained in a press conference that investigators believe the violence was centered on the Halloween costume store, though authorities could not immediately confirm whether gunfire extended further into the shopping center or determine a specific motive.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this heartbreaking incident.
Chief Dan Marshall, Fairfield Police Department

Unresolved Questions and Search for Suspects

As of Saturday morning, police had announced no arrests in connection with the Fairfield shooting, and a manhunt remained underway for the gunman or gunmen. Investigators stated they did not yet know whether they were searching for a single suspect or multiple individuals, though police emphasized there was no ongoing lockdown or immediate active threat to the wider public.

Spirit Halloween shooting in Fairfield kills 1, injures at least 6 — Photo: Fox News

Suisun City Mayor Alma Hernandez issued a public statement expressing deep concern and calling for regional unity. Please join us in praying for the victims and their families, and for the officers working to bring the suspect into custody, Hernandez said, adding that Once this incident is resolved, we will need to come together as a community to support each other, the victims, and everyone affected by this tragedy.

The incident in California unfolded just hours after a separate, unrelated shooting occurred inside a Spirit Halloween store in Madison Heights, Michigan, where a 21-year-old Detroit resident was fatally wounded.