Law enforcement officers get gear from their trunk near the scene of a shooting in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday. Gunfire erupted Wednesday at a railyard in San Jose, and a sheriff's spokesman said multiple people were killed and wounded and that the suspect was dead.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — An employee opened fire Wednesday at a California rail yard, killing eight people before taking his own life as law enforcement rushed in, authorities said, marking the latest attack in a year that has seen a sharp increase in mass killings as the nation emerges from coronavirus restrictions.

The shooting took place around 6:30 a.m. in two buildings that are part of a light rail facility for the Valley Transportation Authority, which provides bus, light rail and other transit services throughout Santa Clara County, the most populated county in the San Francisco Bay Area. The facility in San Jose includes a transit-control center, parking for trains and a maintenance yard.

“When our deputies went through the door, initially he was still firing rounds. When our deputy saw him, he took his life,” Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith told reporters. Deputies “were going through hallways saying, 'Sheriff's office!' He knew at that time that his time for firing shots was over.”

A man who was wounded was in critical condition at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, spokesperson Joy Alexiou said.

The attacker was identified as 57-year-old Sam Cassidy, according to two law enforcement officials. Investigators offered no immediate word on a possible motive.

Sheriff's spokesman Deputy Russell Davis said he did not know the type of weapon used in the attack. Bomb squads were searching the rail complex after receiving information about possible explosive devices, he said.

Authorities did not identify any of the victims, who included Valley Transportation Authority employees.

Members of a union representing transit workers were meeting when the shooter began firing, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said, but it's not clear that it was related to the attack.

When she heard shots, transit authority mechanic Rochelle Hawkins said she dropped her phone.

“I was running so fast, I just ran for my life,” she said. “I would hope everyone would just pray for the VTA family. Just pray for us.”

Grief-stricken families sat huddled together inside a county building after learning they had lost a loved one, District Attorney Jeff Rosen told reporters.

“They're just sitting and holding hands and crying,” Rosen said. “It's terrible. It's awful. It's raw. People are learning they lost their husband, their son, their brother.” He said about 100 people were inside a family reunification center.

Police vehicles and crime-scene tape blocked off the area near city and county government buildings and the sheriff's office.

Officials also were investigating a house fire that broke out shortly before the shooting, Davis said. Public records show Cassidy owned a two-story home where firefighters responded. Fire crews found a fast-moving blaze after being notified by a passer-by. A neighboring house also caught fire, authorities said.

Doug Suh, who lives across the street from Cassidy, told The Mercury News in San Jose that Cassidy was “lonely” and “strange” and that he never saw anyone visit.

“I'd say hello, and he'd just look at me without saying anything,” Suh said. Once, Cassidy yelled at him to stay away as he was backing up his car. “After that, I never talked to him again.”