A Filipino-American was among the casualties in a shooting rampage at a San Jose rail yard in California on May 26.

Paul Dela Cruz Megia, 42, was among the nine individuals who were fatally shot by Samuel James Cassidy, a maintenance worker at Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (V.T.A).

VTA provides rail and bus services for San Jose, a Silicon Valley tech hub of almost a million people.

Megia was also an employee at the V.T.A. and has been working there for 20 years.

Megia’s father, Leonard Megia, told The New York Times in an interview that his son was a “wonderful dad.”

Paul was actually scheduled to go to Disneyland with his four children on Thursday (May 27), according to Leonard.

Leonard said his son also never forgets to call his children every morning and check on them before they go to school.

Paul had two sons, a daughter, and a stepson, NYT reported.

“He’s a very loving dad who cared a lot about his children,” Leonard said about his son, adding that his grandchildren will miss their father.

Other casualties in the incident were Taptejdeep Singh, 36; Adrian Balleza, 29; Jose De Jesus Hernandez III, 35; Timothy Michael Romo, 49; Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40; Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63; Lars Kepler Lane, 63; and Alex Ward Fritch, 49.

Cassidy, the gunman, also shot himself as the police arrived at the scene.

San Jose police said it is also investigating a house fire believed to be linked to the shooting. According to multiple US media reports, the blaze began at the suspect's home shortly before the attack.

The shooter's ex-wife Cecilia Nelms told the Bay Area News Group that Cassidy had "often spoken angrily about his co-workers and bosses, and at times directed his anger at her."

An ex-girlfriend additionally accused him of raping and abusing her, often during violent "mood swings," according to court records cited by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Local officials said the shooting -- which was initially reported before 7:00 am local time (1400 GMT) -- had taken place at an employees' meeting, with at least 80 staff on-site at the time.

‘Horrific’

US President Joe Biden called the incident a "horrific tragedy" and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff, saying in a statement: "There are at least eight families who will never be whole again."

"Once again, I urge Congress to take immediate action and heed the call of the American people, including the vast majority of gun owners, to help end this epidemic of gun violence in America.

"Every life that is taken by a bullet pierces the soul of our nation. We can, and we must, do more."

VTA’s Chair Glenn Hendricks called the shooting a "horrible tragedy."

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, called the shooting rampage, a “very dark moment” for the city.

A vigil in honor of the victims was held Thursday at San Jose's City Hall Plaza.