Shooting Details
On Wednesday, May 26th, at 6:30 a.m., a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) worker named Samuel James Cassidy (57 years old) shot and killed nine men. The men killed are listed here: Taptejdeep Singh, 36 (pictured above); Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63; Adrian Balleza, 29; Alex Ward Fritch, 49; Jose Dejesus Hernandez III, 35; Lars Kepler Lane, 63; Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Timothy Michael Romo, 49; and Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40. Each of these nine men was an employee of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). Additionally, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) "is in touch with law enforcement about this incident. They are investigating the motives of the alleged perpetrator at this time. Additionally, Working Partnerships USA and the South Bay Labor Council (AFL-CIO) established a fund to support the victims of this tragedy."
Investigators are saying that the shooter's killings were targeted and purposeful. While investigators have yet to find the reason behind these targeted kills, witnesses who were working the morning of this shooting state "[He] was targeting certain people. He walked by other people," thereby indicating a premeditated desire to murder these nine men.
This photo depicts a thank you and dedication to Taptejdeep Singh jee, who saved this woman's life from the shooter on May 26th.
The Ramifications
While the motive for this horrific mass shooting is still unknown, what is known is that the perpetuation of gun violence in this nation needs to stop. Now. This senseless act of violence is only one of many, unfortunately. The repetition of mass shootings throughout the nation is staggering. The national opinion of the inevitability of these mass shootings is staggering. The lack of prevention and reform which follows each mass shooting is staggering.
In this year, 2021, there have already been 194 mass shooting throughout the nation. That is an average of about ten mass shootings per week. And the year has yet to begin the month of June. How many more mass shootings are to come? Such cold and appalling violence must be met and with swift justice and answers. These answers, the combination of prevention and reform, must be imminent if there is to be any hope of ridding the nation of these mass shootings. Gun violence must come to an end. And it is our duty, as individuals and citizens, to push for reform and to push our local politicians to implement such reforms in their area.
Please let us all take a moment to remember these nine lives lost, and extend our prays to their family and friends. These nine men will always be remembered and cherished in our hearts.