The Brief
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A shooting was reported at Westfield Valley Fair mall around 5:40 pm
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Three victims – including a 16-year-old girl – were found injured on the spot.
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Police are investigating, but said the shooting “appears to be an isolated incident.”
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A suspect fled the scene before the police arrived, and the authorities are looking.
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Three people were shot at the Westfield Valley Fair mall in San Jose on Friday afternoon, and authorities are investigating.
The San Jose Police Department announced on X just after 6 pm that officers were at the mall investigating reports of the shooting, which was reported around 5:40 pm
The shooting happened outside the women’s Macy’s on the second floor of the mall.
Panic and screams
A video taken by those inside the mall showed people screaming and running for safety, as well as dozens of others taking refuge in a hallway.
“We were just eating at California Pizza Kitchen and all of a sudden a bunch of people came running our way,” said Tyler Pina of Morgan Hill. “I heard some shots over there at the end. We ended up hiding in somebody’s yard with a group of 10, 15 of us for about 30 minutes.”
The Police initially reported that they found two victims at the scene, but later said shortly after 8:35 pm that three victims – a man, a woman and a 16-year-old girl – were found with gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital for treatment of what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
You are deeper
The police department later said the shooting “appears to be an isolated incident” and not an active shooter. The department said a male suspect fled the scene of the shooting before police arrived. They believe he used a gun.
“He wasn’t targeting unsuspecting shoppers,” Sgt. Jorge Garibay of the San Jose Police Department said. “Something had happened between this man and one of our victims, and then the shooting happened. However, we are still trying to figure out what happened before the shooting.”
The SJPD also said that the woman and the girl who were injured were believed to be bystanders not involved.
“This is not the news I wanted to share with you this holiday weekend,” San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said on X after the shooting. “My prayers are with these victims and I know our officers are doing everything they can to find the person responsible and hold them accountable.”
The SJPD said officers were evacuating the mall to confirm there was no ongoing threat, and advised the public to avoid the area as officers investigated the scene and worked “to ensure everyone’s safety.”
What they are saying
Several shaken Macy’s employees could be seen hugging outside as the mall was evacuated and officials swept the property.
Shoppers described a chaotic scene as gunfire rang out.
“I was shopping at Macy’s for lipsticks with my mom and brother and we heard a loud bang,” said Ruhama Thomas of San Jose. “We didn’t think much of it and then the glass shattered, so we went down. It kept coming so we started running outside… and then we heard more gunshots once we were outside.”
“I saw people running and I got scared so I ran,” said Emma Schriefer of Morgan Hill.
Other shoppers described being separated from loved ones in the chaos.
“We were getting pushed because we were just trying to look back at our friends to make sure they were safe,” said Colin Sawaya of Santa Clara.
“I almost lost my shoe,” said Ison Danh of Santa Clara.
The SJPD is asking anyone who may have cell phone video that could assist in the investigation to contact the department.