A 17-year-old suspect, identified as Monte Smith, has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including murder, in connection with a mass shooting at a Spirit Halloween store in Fairfield, California, on Oct. 30. Prosecutors are seeking to transfer his case from juvenile court to adult court.
Smith is accused of fatally shooting Constance Hages, 31, and injuring six other individuals at the Solano Town Center mall. The Solano County District Attorney's Office has charged Smith with two counts of murder with special circumstances due to the multiple victims, three counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a semi-automatic weapon, and multiple firearm enhancements. He also faces a charge for a prior violent offense conviction.
The district attorney's office stated that they will argue for Smith to remain detained, citing the severity of the alleged crimes, his criminal record, and the threat he poses to public safety. A petition has been filed to move the case to adult court, a process that requires a judge to determine if the accused is amenable to rehabilitation within the juvenile system.
According to police, Smith entered the Spirit Halloween store and allegedly targeted a customer following a previous altercation. The other six victims range in age from 16 to 43. As of Monday, four remained hospitalized, including a 19-year-old man in critical condition. A 16-year-old boy, a 32-year-old man, and a 23-year-old man were reported in stable condition, while two others, aged 19 and 43, had been treated and released.
Witnesses described immediate panic and confusion inside the store as the shooting began. A 15-year-old who was in line with her sister captured cellphone footage from the floor as people sought cover. Police noted that Smith had previously spent several months in juvenile hall for a separate shooting incident in a high school parking lot in 2025.
Smith is scheduled for an arraignment and detention hearing in Juvenile Court on Wednesday. The district attorney's office is pursuing adult prosecution, emphasizing the significant shift in California law regarding the prosecution of minors over the past three decades.