While a lot of attention has been focused on a staggering number of shootings that just about met the qualification of a typical mass shooting over the weekend, it seems we couldn’t make it through the week without such a horrific event.

At least eight people are dead in a shooting at a San Jose light railyard.

Eight people were killed and one person was in critical condition Wednesday morning after a shooting at a Valley Transportation Authority yard north of downtown San Jose, according to authorities.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office confirmed eight people died, seven at the scene and one at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose. One other person was taken to the hospital and was in critical condition, a hospital official confirmed.

The gunman also died at the scene, officials said.

Sheriff’s officials and VTA officials confirmed the shooting occurred at the facility at 101 Younger Ave., and some of the victims were VTA employees.

“This is a horrific day for our city, and it’s a tragic day for the VTA family,” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said. “Our heart pains for the families and the co-workers because we know that so many are feeling deeply this loss of their loved ones and their friends.”

The first call came in about 6:35 AM local time, so about 9:35 Eastern.

Right now, the situation is still pretty fluid, so we may see some confusing details emerge over the next day or two. It seems that one of the dead is the suspect, however, which means seven innocent people also lost their lives.

What we don’t know is whether he was killed by law enforcement, an armed citizen, or whether he killed himself. The first and last are the most likely possibilities, but that’s pure speculation.

Undoubtedly, this will play a factor in the gun control debate as well as the hearings over the nomination of David Chipman to head the ATF. However, that’s a discussion for another day.

For the moment, it’s more important to try and understand precisely what happened and to start the process of dealing with that. At least seven innocent lives have been claimed, apparently, and that means it is a time to pray for those who were lost and for their families to soon find peace.

It’s a tall order. I know that all too well.

Still, there will be plenty of time for debate and discussion of what happened and what could have been done. I’m more than willing to get into that later. For now, let’s just wait until we have more information because any debate now will be beyond ridiculous. We don’t know enough to have a meaningful debate over this incident.

Instead, hold your families tight this afternoon and be thankful you have them still with you. Not everyone has that. Eight more people are in that camp today after this horrific event, after all. Don’t wait to step up and make sure those you love know you love them.