Spirit Halloween Shooting Claims Life of Pregnant Mother, Leaves Six Injured in Fairfield

The tragedy unfolded on Friday night at about 8:30 p.m. inside the Spirit Halloween pop‑up shop at Solano Town Center in Fairfield, California, when an unidentified gunman opened fire on shoppers. The attack claimed the life of 31‑year‑old Constance Hages, a mother of four who was also pregnant, and left six other customers wounded. Police arrived after the shooter fled the scene, and investigators are now working to identify the suspect and determine a motive.

Family members told authorities that Hages had been expecting her fifth child. Emergency responders confirmed her death at the store after she sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Among the injured were a 16‑year‑old boy, a 19‑year‑old man and a 32‑year‑old man, all of whom remain in critical condition at local hospitals. A 23‑year‑old man, also listed as critical, is now described as stable, while two other victims, ages 19 and 43, were treated and released on Saturday.

Fairfield police said early evidence points to a targeted shooting carried out by a single individual who left the premises before officers could intervene. The investigation remains in its initial stage, and no motive has been disclosed. The FBI’s Sacramento field office has dispatched an Evidence Response Team to assist local law enforcement in processing the crime scene, indicating a coordinated federal‑local response.

A 15‑year‑old girl, Jocelyn Lopez Tabares, was shopping for Halloween accessories with her older sister when the gunfire erupted. She captured part of the chaos on her phone, later explaining to The California Post that she recorded the incident to preserve evidence of what was happening. Tabares said she called her mother after the shooting because she feared she might not escape the store alive. Her footage, alongside eyewitness accounts, is expected to aid investigators as they piece together the sequence of events.

Spirit Halloween stores are seasonal pop‑up locations that appear in shopping malls and strip centers across the United States each autumn. They are typically stocked with costumes, decorations and novelty items that attract families and teenagers alike. The Solano Town Center location had become a regular stop for local residents preparing for the holiday season. The sudden eruption of gunfire turned a familiar community space into a crime scene, amplifying the shock felt by shoppers who had expected a festive atmosphere.

California’s firearms regulations are among the strictest in the nation, requiring background checks for most purchases and imposing limits on magazine capacity. Despite these measures, the state continues to experience incidents of gun violence, often prompting renewed debate over the adequacy of existing laws. Law enforcement officials in Fairfield emphasized that the presence of a federal Evidence Response Team show the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case, especially given the absence of an identified suspect.

The victims’ ages and conditions illustrate the wide‑ranging impact of the attack. A teenager, a young adult and a man in his early thirties all suffered life‑threatening injuries, while other shoppers who escaped with less severe wounds were discharged within hours. Hospital staff have been working to stabilize those in critical condition, and families of the injured have been kept informed as they await further updates.

Community reaction has been one of profound grief. Residents described the Spirit Halloween store as a place they frequented during the autumn season, a backdrop for family outings and school‑age celebrations. The sudden loss of a pregnant mother of four has resonated deeply, prompting neighbors to share condolences on social media and organize support for Hages’ family. The mall’s management has not yet issued a public statement, but security footage is being reviewed alongside the teenager’s video, investigators said.

Police have asked anyone with additional information or who may have seen a suspicious individual leaving the store around the time of the shooting to come forward. As forensic teams continue to examine the scene, they are looking for ballistics evidence, DNA traces and any other clues that could point to the shooter’s identity. The lack of a description of the gunman means the investigation relies heavily on eyewitness testimony and video evidence.

The incident occurs at a time when mass‑shooting incidents continue to dominate headlines across the United States, prompting national conversations about gun control, mental health and public safety. While California’s regulatory framework aims to curb such tragedies, incidents like the Spirit Halloween shooting illustrate that no jurisdiction is immune to the threat of gun violence. Local officials often stress the importance of rapid response, thorough investigation and community cooperation in the wake of such events.

Authorities have not released a motive, and the search for the suspect remains active. Law enforcement agencies continue to canvass the area, request tips from the public and analyze all available recordings. The FBI’s Sacramento field office is expected to remain on site for the next several days as evidence is processed and leads are followed. Residents are being urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity that could assist in the ongoing investigation.

As the community mourns the loss of Constance Hages and grapples with the injuries sustained by six others, the focus now shifts to uncovering the circumstances that led to the attack. Police have indicated that the investigation is still in its early stages, and they have not yet provided a description of the gunman. The next steps will involve continued forensic analysis, outreach to potential witnesses and coordinated efforts between local and federal agencies to bring the perpetrator to justice.