Three individuals were injured in a shooting at Westfield Valley Fair Mall in San Jose, California, on Black Friday, causing hundreds of shoppers to seek safety. Authorities have described the incident as an isolated event following a verbal dispute.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Friday, November 28, 2025, on the mall’s second floor near Macy’s. The victims—a man, a woman, and a 16-year-old girl—were taken to local hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening. The San Jose Police Department confirmed that all three suffered gunshot wounds.
Sgt. Jorge Garibay of the San Jose Police Department clarified that the attack was not random. “We can say for a matter of fact that this was not unsuspected shoppers that were targeted, this was an isolated incident with two individuals,” he stated at the scene. The incident reportedly stemmed from a confrontation between the suspect and the male victim, with the woman and teenager being bystanders.
The preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect engaged in a verbal conflict with the male victim before drawing a firearm and discharging multiple rounds. Police suggested that the event might be gang-related, but further details are under investigation.
The suspect left the scene before law enforcement arrived, and the weapon was not recovered. On Sunday night, a teenage suspect was apprehended.
The shooting caused significant disruption at this major shopping destination in Northern California. With over 200 stores, Westfield Valley Fair was crowded with Black Friday shoppers when the shots were fired. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as people rushed to the exits.
Shawn Kulasingham, who was shopping with his family, recounted hearing the gunshots. “The fear was palpable. This is a really difficult thing to happen during the holiday season,” Kulasingham, visiting family for Thanksgiving, told reporters. He and his family sought refuge in an Abercrombie and Fitch store, hiding behind clothing racks and cabinets as others around them panicked.
During the lockdown, shoppers took shelter in different areas of the mall. At Bloomingdale’s, security directed customers into storage spaces, while others found refuge in various stores until officials secured the building and accounted for everyone.
Police evacuated the mall to ensure there was no further threat, leading to significant traffic congestion as numerous vehicles exited the area simultaneously.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan supported the victims and praised the police response. He expressed his concerns for the victims and reassured the public that officers were committed to identifying and prosecuting the perpetrator. Although he confirmed there was no continuing threat, he advised the public to avoid the area while the investigation continued.
The mall, situated on the border of San Jose and Santa Clara, California, resumed operations at noon on Saturday with increased police presence. Authorities informed individuals who left their vehicles overnight that they could retrieve them at their convenience. Items left behind during the evacuation were available for collection at a designated site on the mall’s third floor, starting at noon on Saturday.
Police requested anyone with cellphone footage that might aid the investigation to contact the department. The event disrupted what is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year, turning a routine shopping trip into a distressing experience for many.
While shopping malls often increase security during peak shopping times, events of this nature remain relatively rare at major retail centers. The investigation continued over the weekend as detectives sought to understand the full context of the altercation that led to the shooting.
