Blue city rail station killing linked to same suspect eyed in second transit attack
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A 42-year-old man who suffered a brutal attack at a Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail station in San Jose has succumbed to his injuries. Authorities have linked the suspect to another incident at a different transit location.

Hailing from San Jose, the victim was declared dead at a hospital on Wednesday, October 8. After the assault on September 29 at the Gish VTA Light Rail Station, he had been battling critical head injuries, as reported by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

“We are saddened to announce that the victim of the assault at the VTA platform has passed away due to his injuries,” stated the Sheriff’s Office. “The investigation is now being treated as a homicide case.”

Officers were dispatched to the Gish station shortly before midnight that evening, where they discovered the man unconscious and suffering from severe injuries.

Mugshot of Brandon Fryshaw

Brandon Fryshaw, 23, has been apprehended in connection with the fatal attack on the transit system, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives arrested Brandon Fryshaw, 23, within hours of the assault and later identified him as a suspect in a separate attack at the Saint James VTA Light Rail Station. Details about that second attack have not been released.

The case has been forwarded to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for review and possible charges. Fryshaw was initially booked on a charge of attempted murder.

“This case reflects the urgency and commitment our investigators bring to violent crimes,” said Capt. Sugey Jaimez, who oversees the Investigative Services Division.

San Jose Light Rail closed

An empty Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail station is photographed along North First Street on Thursday, May 27, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (Aric Crabb/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)

The incident comes as the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office releases its 2024 Annual Statistics Report, offering a detailed look at countywide crime trends and enforcement activity. While the overall crime rate rose slightly last year, the report shows a decline in violent crimes, including aggravated assaults and robberies, even as property crimes such as theft and burglary increased.

Sheriff Robert Jonsen said the department remains focused on “transparency and public safety.”

“Our team remains dedicated to ensuring Santa Clara County is a safe place to live, work and thrive,” Jonsen said. “We continue to build trust through accountability and innovation.”

Downtown San Jose

Brandon Fryshaw is suspected of two transit attacks in San Jose. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

According to the report:

Violent crime rate: 2.27 per 1,000 residents — significantly lower than the California average of 4.80.

Property crime rate: 13.98 per 1,000 residents — below the state average of 20.83.

Total reported felonies: 1,964 across all Sheriff’s Office jurisdictions.

The report also details reductions in use-of-force incidents, improvements in response times and continued progress in recruitment and diversity — part of what the Sheriff’s Office calls its ongoing effort to serve with professionalism and integrity.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office for comment. 

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

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