Black Friday shopping turned into a terrifying ordeal at Westfield Valley Fair in San Jose, California, as gunfire erupted within the bustling mall.
Panic seized shoppers as shots rang out, transforming a day of anticipated deals into a scene of utter chaos and fear. Witnesses described a frantic scramble for safety, with screams echoing through the corridors.
A sixteen-year-old girl was among the three individuals injured in the shooting, alongside a man and a woman. All were transported to local hospitals with injuries deemed non-life-threatening.
Authorities swiftly responded to the scene, characterizing the incident as isolated and stemming from a dispute between two individuals, not a random attack on shoppers.
Daniel Chen, a shopper present during the ordeal, recounted his terror, stating, “I was terrified. We were freaking out. Everyone was just screaming.” He emphasized the desperate need to stay together amidst the pandemonium.
Another shopper, Shawn Kulasingham, reported hearing a distinct pop followed by a palpable tremor as people surged towards the exits in a desperate attempt to escape the danger.
The mall was fully evacuated approximately an hour after the shooting, which unfolded around 5 pm, leaving behind a shaken community and a stark reminder of the fragility of safety even in familiar surroundings.
The incident brought a premature end to Black Friday shopping for many, replacing the excitement of finding bargains with the chilling reality of potential violence.
