They were described by their colleagues with one word, repeated over and over: family.
The nine men killed in a mass shooting Wednesday at a San Jose light rail yard were all longtime employees at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, ranging in age from 29 to 63.
While the investigation into the shooting is ongoing, a close-knit workplace is devastated by incomprehensible loss, VTA officials said.
Mourners react during a vigil for the nine victims of a shooting at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose.
(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A mourner pauses in front of a memorial for the nine victims of a shooting at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose.
(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Mourners pause in front of a memorial for the nine victims of a shooting at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose.
(Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
People take part in a vigil after the mass shooting at the Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose.
(Philip Pacheco / Getty Images)
The Rev. Julia McCray-Goldsmith of Trinity Cathedral of San Jose listens as people address the crowd at a vigil.
(Philip Pacheco / Getty Images)
Kiana Simmons tends to the vigil.
(Philip Pacheco / Getty Images)
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo stops to view a makeshift memorial for the rail yard shooting victims in front of City Hall in San Jose.
(Haven Daley / Associated Press)
A woman leaves the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority facility on Wednesday in San Jose.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
Tactical law enforcement officers move through the Valley Transportation Authority light-rail yard where the mass shooting occurred.
(Philip Pacheco / Getty Images)
Women leave a gathering area for Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority workers and family members after the shooting.
(Associated Press)
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority workers gather after the mass shooting.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
A law enforcement K-9 unit searches for evidence at the Valley Transportation Authority light-rail yard.
(Philip Pacheco / Getty Images)
Law enforcement officers at the scene of the shooting at the facility.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
Two people wait to be reunited with a family member who is a Valley Transportation Authority worker.
(Santiago Mejia / San Francisco Chronicle )
Police officers respond near the scene of the shooting.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
Emergency responders and the San Jose bomb squad respond to a fire at the house of the gunman.
(Amy Osborne / AFP)
Emergency responders and the San Jose bomb squad at the house.
(Amy Osborne / AFP )
Tactical law enforcement officers move through the Valley Transportation Authority light-rail yard.
(Philip Pacheco / Getty Images)
Police officers speak with a local resident after emergency responders were called to a fire at the gunman’s home.
(Amy Osborne/AFP )
Law enforcement officers on the scene near the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority facility after the mass shooting.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
A man comforts a woman outside the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority facility.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
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