Three Wounded in Black Friday Shooting at Westfield Valley Fair Mall - Details

What began as a busy evening of holiday shopping turned into a scene of panic at one of California's largest malls, sending shoppers running for their lives and children screaming for their parents.

Three people were injured after gunfire broke out at the Westfield Valley Fair shopping centre in Santa Clara, California, during Black Friday trading hours, sparking panic and chaos across the packed mall.

The shooting unfolded at around 5:40 p.m. on November 29, 2025, with terrified shoppers seen running for cover and sheltering inside shops. Authorities later confirmed that the victims included a 16-year-old girl, a man, and a woman, all of whom were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to police, the violence stemmed from a dispute between the gunman and the male victim, while the two female victims were caught in the crossfire. The suspect fled the scene, and no description had yet been released at the time of writing. It remains unclear whether he has been taken into custody.

Sergeant Jorge Garibay of the San Jose Police Department clarified that the shooting was not a random attack on shoppers, stating, "Something occurred between two individuals that prompted the shooting." Officials described it as an isolated incident and confirmed that there was no ongoing threat to the public.

As the shots rang out, the shopping centre quickly descended into confusion. One witness said the scene turned to "complete chaos" as people rushed to get away. Shoppers reportedly took cover in changing rooms, stockrooms, and behind displays, while others ran in panic through the crowded centre.

Daniel Chen, who had been present during the shooting, recalled of the fear that swept through the mall, "There were crowds and swarms of people. I was terrified. We were freaking out. Everyone was just screaming." He added that his group stayed with the crowd to avoid heading towards the shooter.

Elsewhere, Shawn Kulasingham, 23, was shopping with his family when he heard what sounded like a gunshot. He quickly pulled his sister and father into an Abercrombie & Fitch, where they joined others in hiding behind clothing racks and furniture.

In another part of the mall, around 20 people were ushered into a Bloomingdale's. Among them was Bilal Zuberi, who said he and his wife focused on keeping calm because there were children present.

"There was general panic and an overhead announcement telling [stores] the doors were locked and they should remain in place," he said.

Police began evacuating the shopping centre roughly one hour after the shooting, clearing each store to ensure there was no remaining threat. The mall had been scheduled to close at 10 p.m.

In the wake of the incident, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan issued a statement, and Congressman Ro Khanna offered his support to the city.

On social media, emotional reactions poured in — many focused on the distressing impact on children. One person shared, "The boy screaming for his mom 🥺."

Another typed, "Started crying as soon as I heard the little boy scream for his mom. This is absolutely horrifying." A separate commenter wrote, "Hearing the kids screaming for their parents is absolutely BREAKING ME 😭 keeping you in my thoughts."

Others reflected on the broader implications of the attack, with one netizen stating, "Just sickening. You're not safe anywhere." Another added, "I'm so sorry you had to go through something like this."

What was meant to be a day of shopping and celebration turned into a scene of fear and confusion. With the suspect still at large and investigations ongoing, the incident has renewed concern about public safety in crowded commercial spaces, even during events traditionally associated with festivity and family.

Meanwhile, footage from the scene began circulating online, capturing both the chaos and emotional aftermath.