Key Takeaways
- A shooting occurred at the Westfield Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara on Black Friday, injuring three people, including an adult man, an adult woman, and a 16-year-old girl.
- The shooting was not targeted at unsuspecting shoppers, but rather the result of an incident between two individuals.
- The suspected shooter fled the scene before police arrived, and no gun was recovered.
- Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud pop and seeing a "sea of humans" running in every direction, with some taking shelter in stores and others being escorted out by police.
- The incident caused significant disruption and panic, with traffic backed up from all exits as hundreds of people attempted to leave the mall.
Introduction to the Incident
A shooting at the Westfield Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara on Black Friday sent shoppers scrambling for cover, injuring three people, according to the San José Police Department. The incident occurred around 5:35 p.m., with multiple calls to emergency dispatch reporting two to three injured people and a shooter still at large. The police department confirmed that three people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, including an adult man, an adult woman, and a 16-year-old girl.
Eyewitness Accounts
Shawn Kulasingham, a 23-year-old who was at the mall with his family, described the scene as a "stampede" after hearing a loud pop. He grabbed his sister and father and ducked into the nearest store, an Abercrombie & Fitch, where they hid behind clothing racks and cabinets. Kulasingham reported that the building was "almost shaking" and that the fear was "palpable." Another witness, Bilal Zuberi, who was in Bloomingdales with his wife, reported that store security ushered them into a storage closet, where they waited until police gave the all-clear to leave.
Police Response
Police arrived at the scene to find a chaotic situation, with multiple people running across the street and causing a traffic jam. Emergency dispatch calls reported bullet casings and a trail of blood from Macy’s, and officers were able to confirm that the shooting took place on the second floor of the store. The police department reported that the suspected shooter had fled the scene before they arrived, and no gun was recovered. The city department later confirmed that there was no longer an active shooter, and officers worked to evacuate the mall and secure the area.
Aftermath and Investigation
The shooting caused significant disruption and panic, with traffic backed up from all exits as hundreds of people attempted to leave the mall. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan expressed his prayers for the victims and pledged that officers would do everything they could to find the person responsible and hold them accountable. The police department reported that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident, and that people should avoid the area. The investigation is ongoing, and the police department has not released any further information about the suspected shooter or the motives behind the incident.
Community Reaction
The incident has sparked concern and shock in the community, with many expressing gratitude for the swift response of police and first responders. Bilal Zuberi, who was sheltering in the storage closet, praised the police, first responders, and mall staff for their efforts to guide people to safety. The incident has also raised questions about the safety and security of public spaces, particularly during peak shopping periods like Black Friday. As the investigation continues, the community will be watching closely to see how the incident is handled and what measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.