Black Friday Shooting at Westfield Valley Fair Injures Three

On Black Friday, a shooting incident at the Westfield Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara left three people injured. The San José Police Department reported that the victims included an adult man, an adult woman, and a 16-year-old girl, all suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

Incident Overview

Police spokesman Sgt. Jorge Garibay confirmed that the shooting was not aimed at mall shoppers. Instead, it resulted from a conflict between two individuals. The two female victims were reportedly bystanders and had no direct connection to the altercation.

Eyewitness Accounts

Witness Shawn Kulasingham described the chaos that ensued after he heard a loud sound around 5:35 p.m. He recalled seeing numerous shoppers fleeing in panic within the mall and compared the scene to a stampede. Kulasingham and his family sought refuge in an Abercrombie & Fitch store, hiding behind clothing racks for about 20 minutes before being escorted out by police.

• Kulasingham stated, “The fear was palpable. This is a really difficult thing to happen during the holiday season.”
• He left his Black Friday purchases, including a coat, behind as he exited.

Another patron, Bilal Zuberi, sheltered in a storage closet in Bloomingdale’s with his wife and others. While he did not directly hear gunfire, he noted a general sense of panic and an announcement instructing shoppers to remain in place with locked doors.

Response from Authorities

Emergency calls to police began at around 5:55 p.m., reporting multiple injuries and a shooter still at large. Initial reports indicated bullet casings and a trail of blood leading from Macy’s, where the shooting occurred on the second floor. By 6:31 p.m., police announced that the situation was no longer active, indicating that the shooter had fled the scene.

Community Reactions

• San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan expressed his prayers for the victims and commended law enforcement for their swift response.
• Traffic congestion ensued as hundreds of shoppers attempted to exit the mall.

Emergency services responded promptly to the chaotic scene, guiding people to safety and managing the crowd. The incident, deemed isolated by police, raised significant concerns during the holiday shopping season.

As investigations continue, authorities urge the public to avoid the area surrounding the mall. The community remains on alert following this alarming event during one of the busiest shopping days of the year.