A ninth victim of the mass shooting at the Valley Transportation Authority light rail yard in San Jose succumbed to their injuries late Wednesday.
Alex Ward Fritch, 49, was initially taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center with critical injuries following the shooting on Wednesday morning. Earlier Wednesday, officials identified the other eight victims, ranging in age from 29 to 63. Many went to work and never came home.
The initial list of names was released by the Santa Clara Medical Examiner-Coroner after the office completed its on-site investigation.
The victim’s next of kin have been notified, officials said.
- Paul Delacruz Megia, age 42
- Taptejdeep Singh, age 36
- Adrian Balleza, age 29
- Jose Dejesus Hernandez III, age 35
- Timothy Michael Romo, age 49
- Michael Joseph Rudometkin, age 40
- Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, age 63
- Lars Kepler Lane, age 63
Authorities have not yet identified the suspect.
Imagine hearing about a mass shooting where your brother-in law works and nine hours later not knowing if he’s dead or alive. "I called a bunch of hospitals," a woman declining to be identified told KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer. "No one is disclosing any names yet. It is very frustrating. We have been here since this morning."
Christina Gonzalez got the call from her brother that their cousin, Michael Rudometkin, had been shot. She just spent time with him last weekend at a family reunion and was emotional awaking word about him.
"He loved his job and just always stood up for everyone’s rights and he was just a very good person," an emotional Gonzalez said. "So we are just really, really hoping this isn’t the place to tell us the bad news."
Rudometkin was later confirmed as one of the victims.
She was waiting at the Red Cross at 2731 First St. in San Jose with many other friends and family members of Wednesday’s shooting victims.
Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen said sadly their office opened a family assistance center for the Gilroy Garlic Festival mass shooting less than two years ago, and now a second mass shooting needing a family assistance center is open in San Jose - a place where life-changing news can be delivered with dignity.
"That is really why we came to this center," Rosen explained. "There are a lot of private rooms in the family assistance center and it’s much easier for us to maintain privacy and confidentiality for the victims."
There are many people who were injured in this shooting, though officials have not yet disclosed a number. Two men were transported to the hospital following the shooting. One person died upon arrival. The second person was listed in critical condition, but died late Wednesday. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said that "doctors are working very hard to save lives."
Nine people plus the gunman are dead.
"I’m so sorry for your loss," Rosen said, speaking directly to the families. "May God comfort you."
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