A gunman has unleashed terror at a bustling shopping centre on Black Friday, wounding at least three people.
Shoppers were forced to dash for cover and barricade themselves within shops at the Westfield in California. The Westfield Valley Fair shopping centre in Santa Clara descended into “complete chaos” as patrons scrambled to safety, according to eyewitnesses.
A 16-year-old girl, along with a man and a woman, sustained injuries at the scene. They have since been rushed to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, officials confirmed. The shooting erupted at 5.40pm on Friday, KRON4 reported. Authorities have characterised the incident as an “isolated event”.
(Image: Michael Ho Wai Lee/SOPA Images/Shutterstock)
Sergeant Jorge Garibay of the San Jose Police Department clarified: “This was not targeted at unsuspecting shoppers. Something occurred between two individuals that prompted the shooting.” The San Jose Police Department reassured that there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Officials suspect the shooting occurred following a dispute between the alleged gunman and the male victim. The two female victims were tragically caught in the crossfire. The shooter absconded from the scene.
Police have yet to provide a description of the man. It remains unclear whether the suspect has been arrested.
Terrified shoppers shared videos of the harrowing moments on social media as they took refuge inside stores. Daniel Chen recounted how he “just started sprinting” when he saw people bolting.
“There were crowds and swarms of people,” he described. “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.”
He explained that his group made a point to follow the crowd, aiming to “not go where the shooter was”. “We were making sure we were following the crowd and making sure we could find an exit and get out,” he added.
(Image: Michael Ho Wai Lee/SOPA Images/Shutterstock)
Police started evacuating the shopping centre an hour post-shooting. The centre had initially been scheduled to shut at 10pm.
Shawn Kulasingham, 23, was shopping with his family when he reported hearing a loud pop, followed by a human tide running in all directions.
“It was a stampede,” he told the LA Times. “The building was almost shaking.”
Kulasingham quickly grabbed his father and sister and sought refuge in the nearest shop – an Abercrombie & Fitch.
Along with other shoppers, they hid behind clothing racks and cabinets. “The fear was palpable,” Kulasingham admitted. “This is a really difficult thing to happen during the holiday season.”
Kulasingham, a former congressional staffer, was home visiting family for Thanksgiving. Another shopper caught in the crossfire was ushered into a Bloomingdales store along with 20 other people.
Bilal Zuberi and his wife said they “tried not to panic, because there were children sheltering with them”. He said: “There was general panic and an overhead announcement telling [stores] the doors were locked and they should remain in place.”
“Officers are evacuating and clearing the mall to confirm there is no ongoing threat to public safety,” the police department stated.
(Image: Michael Ho Wai Lee/SOPA Images/Shutterstock)
San Jose’s Mayor, Matt Mahan, issued a statement on Friday night. “This is not the news I wanted to share with you this holiday weekend,” he posted on social media platform X. “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.”
Congressman Ro Khanna also extended his support to the city following the shooting. “Praying for the victims at Valley Fair Mall and those locked down,” he posted on X. “Grateful for all the first responders including San Jose police. [I’m] in touch with [Mayor Mahan] to see if the federal government can provide any assistance.”
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