Teen Suspect In Halloween Store Mass Shooting Could Be Charged As Adult

BAY AREA, CA — The 17-year-old suspect accused of killing a pregnant woman inside a Fairfield Spirit Halloween store now faces a second murder charge after prosecutors said the victim was 13 weeks pregnant.

The Solano County District Attorney's Office is also seeking to have the teenager tried as an adult, a move that could expose him to a potential life sentence if convicted.

The Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams identified the suspect as Monte Smith, 17, following his arrest Monday in connection with the Oct. 30 shooting at the Spirit Halloween store inside Solano Town Center.

His arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 13. His attorney requested additional time to review the prosecution's evidence, including more than 90 witness statements and surveillance footage, according to reports.

The shooting killed 31-year-old Constance Hages and wounded six other people.

Prosecutors filed two counts of murder with a multiple-murder special circumstance, three counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a semi-automatic weapon, and multiple firearm enhancements, according to a news release from Abrams.

Smith also faces an allegation of a prior conviction for a violent offense, which carries a strike designation.

Solano County prosecutors said Smith followed a man with whom he had a prior dispute into the crowded Spirit Halloween store before opening fire. Smith had entered the mall with a girl when he spotted the man shopping with family and friends, according to reports.

Prosecutors said Smith pursued the man into the store, pulled out a semi-automatic handgun, and fired into the crowd as shoppers, including children, scrambled to escape.

The gunfire struck seven people, including the man prosecutors said was the intended target. As of Wednesday, four victims remained hospitalized, while two others had been released.

The second murder charge stems from the death of Hages' unborn child. Prosecutors said in juvenile court Wednesday that Hages was 13 weeks pregnant when she was killed, according to reports.

The District Attorney's Office filed a juvenile petition asking the court to transfer Smith's case to adult criminal court.

Prosecutors are arguing that Smith should remain in custody because of the seriousness of the charges, his criminal record, and what they describe as a threat to public safety.

In a press conference Monday, Fairfield police said Smith was previously charged in connection with a shooting in a parking lot at Fairfield High School in September 2025. He served time in juvenile hall and was released.

Smith was arrested Monday at his home in Suisun City in connection with the shooting Friday night.

The transfer request does not automatically move the case into adult court. A juvenile court judge must first determine whether Smith qualifies for prosecution as an adult.

California law requires prosecutors to begin a 16- or 17-year-old's case in juvenile court before seeking a transfer. The judge must find clear and convincing evidence that the minor is not amenable to rehabilitation under juvenile court jurisdiction before approving the transfer, according to Abrams.

The office cited changes to California law over the past three decades to explain why prosecutors cannot directly file the case in adult court.

Before 1994, juvenile court judges held discretion over whether minors could face adult prosecution. The Gang Violence and Juvenile Crime Prevention Act of 1998 later gave prosecutors authority to file certain serious and violent cases directly in adult court against minors as young as 14.

California voters approved Proposition 57 in 2016, eliminating that direct-filing authority and requiring juvenile court judges to decide whether eligible minors can be transferred to adult court.

Senate Bill 1391 further restricted transfers in 2019 by prohibiting adult prosecution for 14- and 15-year-olds accused of serious or violent offenses.

Abrams said the law now requires prosecutors to file a juvenile petition and obtain judicial approval before transferring a 16- or 17-year-old to adult court.

Legal analyst Steven Clark said the difference between juvenile and adult court could be substantial, with adult prosecution potentially exposing Smith to a life sentence rather than release at age 25, according to ABC News 7. Clark said the transfer decision rests with a juvenile court judge and could take months.

The District Attorney's Office said the court must hold a transfer hearing before deciding whether Smith will face prosecution in adult court.

MORE:

Teen Arrested In Deadly Spirit Store Mass Shooting.

Fairfield Mall Shooter Charged With Murder, Attempted Murder.

Bay City News contributed to this report.