Justin Carr Takes It Too Far: Shootout At Job Fair

Los Santos, San Andreas – Just minutes after the blazing inferno of Public Works’ cargo bob aircraft was reduced to a smoldering wreck, the public Job Fair was once again in uproar. The sound of approach sirens pulled eyes toward the parking lot, where a car veered around the corner and onto North Rockford Drive with multiple police vehicles in pursuit. The chase wrapped around the back of the ULSA campus before doubling back to the south entrance of the athletic fields, where the suspect’s car seemed to spin out and wreck before coming to a stop right in front of the entrance banner.

The driver fled out onto the field, rushing toward unsuspecting fairgoers. He approached two employees of Merryweather Security, pulling a gun on them before law enforcement could catch up. Police quickly swarmed the field, pushing back onlookers from the scene as they sought to negotiate for release of the hostages. They managed to secure freedom for one of the security agents, but the second, Arturo Rivera, remained under gunpoint. The suspect took Mr. Rivera’s gun before walking him out of the field, saying he felt bad about breaking up the career event taking place.

Law enforcement followed them out through the main entrance, but the suspect ignored his prior vehicle sitting just outside. Instead, they went across the street to the parking lot, where many attendees had left their vehicles upon arrival. This further extended the standoff as police secured the lot and began to surround the suspect and hostage both. Meanwhile, the crowd looked on in anticipation from where they’d been gathered on the east bleachers.

In speaking with the victim afterward, Mr. Rivera noted that he tried to disarm the suspect and allow him to surrender, but the man stated a wish to “go down guns blazing”. While Mr. Rivera didn’t think the suspect was unstable and felt he could talk him down from the tense situation, he did not get much help from police who apparently did little to de-escalate by that point. At one point the suspect lowered his gun and seemed close to giving in, but alas a peaceful resolution wasn’t forthcoming.

The suspect, later identified as mass bomber Justin Carr, began shooting at police, who had spread out and positioned themselves to keep the hostage out of their line of fire. Law enforcement responded rapidly, taking him down without any stray bullets hitting Mr. Rivera. The suspect went down almost immediately, and the scene was soon secure. Medical personnel already on scene for the Job Fair moved in to treat the wounded man now in custody.

After emergency treatment was given, Mr. Carr was transported to Eclipse Hospital for further examination, with an officer along for the ride to keep him in custody. Once he was released from the hospital in stable condition, Weazel News spoke with Deputy Rodrik Biggs of the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) who informed us the shooter was being taken to a bail hearing afterward. At the time of publication, it’s unclear if Mr. Carr was released on bail or held for his outstanding bench warrants.