Three people were injured in a Black Friday shooting at a California mall, sending terrified shoppers scrambling for cover, barricading themselves in stores, and running for their lives amid scenes of total chaos.
The gunfire reportedly erupted just outside a Macy’s at Westfield Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara around 5:40 p.m., KRON4 reported, triggering panic in the heart of Black Friday shopping frenzy.
Officials said the victims — a 16-year-old girl, a man, and a woman — were discovered at the scene and quickly rushed to a nearby hospital. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening, but the terrifying moment instantly shattered the mall’s Black Friday rush.
It’s still unclear whether the gunman has been caught — leaving one big question hanging over the mall that every shaken shopper wants answered. @avgpearfarmer/ X
The incident was labeled an 'isolated' shooting, and officials stressed there was no ongoing danger to the public, according to the San Jose Police Department — but that reassurance came only after waves of panic had already ripped through the mall.
Officials haven’t disclosed a motive, but investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a heated argument between the suspected gunman and the male victim, erupting in the middle of Westfield Valley Fair Mall — a moment that turned a personal dispute into a public nightmare on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
KRON4 reported that the two women were tragically caught in the crossfire, innocent bystanders swept up in the chaos.
The shooter fled the scene, and police have yet to release any description of the suspect, leaving authorities and shoppers on edge.
On X, the San Jose Police Department said, “Units are currently investigating a shooting at Valley Fair Mall in West San Jose.”@avgpearfarmer /X
Westfield Valley Fair is nestled between Santa Clara and San Jose, about 50 miles south of San Francisco in the heart of the Bay Area.
Terrified shoppers described "complete chaos" as gunfire tore through the crowded mall, while many shared frantic photos and videos on social media from inside stores where they had barricaded themselves for safety.
"The moment I see people running, the three of us just started sprinting," mall visitor Daniel Chen told the outlet, recalling the terrifying rush for safety.
“There were crowds and swarms of people. I was terrified. We were freaking out. Everyone was just screaming. It was complete chaos — it was crazy. I was making sure that the three of us were together and that we weren’t leaving each other behind, and we were making sure that we’re not going where the shooter was. We were making sure we were following the crowd and making sure we could find an exit and get out.”
Police evacuated the mall roughly an hour after the shooting. The mall had been scheduled to close at 10 p.m. before the chaos erupted.
“Officers are evacuating and clearing the mall to confirm there is no ongoing threat to public safety,” the police department shared.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan responded to the shocking news Friday night, addressing the community’s fears and concerns.
“This is not the news I wanted to share with you this holiday weekend. 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,” Mahan wrote on X.
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) extended his support to the city in the aftermath of the shooting, offering resources and assistance to those affected.
“Praying for the victims at Valley Fair Mall and those locked down. Grateful for all the first responders including San Jose police. In touch with [Mayor Mahan] to see if the federal government can provide any assistance,” Khanna wrote on X.
