Halloween store shooting in California kills one, wounds six

One person was killed and six others were wounded when gunfire broke out at a Halloween store in northern California on Friday night, police said.

The shooting happened shortly before 8:30 pm local time at a Spirit Halloween store at a shopping mall in Fairfield, a city about 76 kilometres northeast of San Francisco.

Fairfield Police Chief Dan Marshall told reporters that one person died and six were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds. At least three of the injured were in critical condition, he said.

Marshall said officers had not yet identified who was responsible. "There is still a very active crime scene and investigation going on right now," he said late Friday, referring to a "suspect or suspects" police were still trying to establish.

The chief said no areas outside the Solano Town Center mall were placed on lockdown.

Why it matters here

The attack came hours before Halloween, which is marked in the United States on Saturday. The date draws crowds to costume and decoration stores, and the shooting has raised fresh concern about safety in busy public places.

For Nigerians, the story matters to those with relatives and friends studying or living in California, who often follow US safety news closely. It also adds to the wider debate abroad over gun violence and how public spaces are protected.

Both Channels TV and Vanguard, quoting AFP, reported the same casualty figures: one dead and six wounded. Neither outlet named any suspect.

What happens next

Fairfield police say the investigation is continuing and they are still working to identify who carried out the shooting.

More details, including the identities of the dead and injured, are expected as investigators finish their work at the scene.