Adrian Balleza biography: 13 things about Samuel Cassidy’s VTA co-worker

Adrian Balleza was an employee of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, United States. Here are 13 more things about him:

1. He was married to Heather Balleza. (a)
2. He and Heather lived in Gilroy, Santa Clara County. (b)
3. Heather described him as a humble and caring individual. (a)
4. In 2014, he started working at the VTA. He was a maintenance worker before becoming a light rail operator. (c)
5. His supervisor, VTA light rail transportation superintendent Naunihal Singh described him as a very kindhearted man who was always volunteering to help organize fun activities for co-workers. (a)
6. In 2015, he received $79,735.94 total pay and benefits. (d)
7. In 2016, he received $82,252.56 total pay and benefits. (d)
8. In 2017, he received $75,221.36 total pay and benefits. (d)
9. In 2018, he received $81,201.38 total pay and benefits. (d)
10. In 2019, he received $80,803.22 total pay and benefits. In the same year, Heather gave birth to their son and the family moved to Gilroy. (a) (b) (d)
11. In the second week of May 2021, he threw a party for his niece, according to his Gilroy neighbor Beatrice Trotter. (b)
12. On May 26, 2021, VTA employee Samuel James Cassidy fatally shot him and eight other VTA employees. (c)
13. He died at the age of 29. He was the youngest among the nine VTA employees Cassidy fatally shot on May 26, 2021. (c)

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(This is a developing story. More details are being added.)

SOURCES:

• a. New York Times
• b. NBC Bay Area
• c. ABC News
• d. Transparent California