Police say the gunfire followed an argument near Macy’s and was an isolated incident.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Three people were shot Friday around 5:40 p.m. inside Westfield Valley Fair, prompting a large police response and an evacuation on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, authorities said.
Police said an adult man, an adult woman and a 16-year-old girl were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after shots were fired near the Macy’s store on the mall’s second level. Investigators said the episode appeared to stem from a dispute and was not an active-shooter situation. By late Friday, officers had cleared the mall and found no ongoing threat. Detectives from San José and Santa Clara, which share jurisdiction at the property, are leading the case as the holiday shopping weekend continues.
Witnesses reported a brief argument before a man drew a handgun and fired several times, striking the male victim and wounding two bystanders, police said. The suspected shooter ran from the scene before officers arrived. “A shooting in a crowded mall on a busy shopping day is deeply concerning,” San José Police Chief Paul Joseph said, adding that patrols would be increased through the weekend as detectives work to identify the gunman. The victims’ names were not released Friday. The mall was evacuated about an hour after the gunfire as officers methodically checked stores that had gone into lockdown.
Officials said the rounds were fired outside Macy’s along 2855 Stevens Creek Boulevard, a corridor that draws heavy regional foot traffic. The 16-year-old girl and the adult woman were hit by stray rounds, according to preliminary findings. Police emphasized that early evidence points to an isolated confrontation and not a random attack. Paramedics transported all three victims, who were listed in stable condition late Friday. The suspected shooter’s description was not immediately available, and investigators were reviewing mall security video and interviewing witnesses who sheltered in stockrooms and behind counters as alarms sounded.
Valley Fair, one of the largest shopping centers in the Bay Area, has seen heavy seasonal crowds since Thanksgiving. Friday’s shooting briefly halted the unofficial start of the retail season as officers from multiple agencies converged on the complex and closed nearby entrances. In a statement, Santa Clara and San José police said they were coordinating evidence collection, canvassing stores for additional footage, and tracking tips. Mayor Matt Mahan praised first responders and said the city would support victims and workers affected by the disruption. The property owner said operations would resume after the scene was released by investigators.
Detectives are examining whether the dispute involved prior acquaintances and whether gang ties played a role, authorities said. No arrests had been announced by Saturday morning, and no charges had been filed. Officials said additional uniformed officers and plainclothes teams would be assigned to major shopping areas through the weekend. If an arrest is made, the case would be presented to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for charging. Police said they expect to release updates on suspect information, including images, once they confirm details from video and witness accounts.
Shoppers described a sudden rush as store employees pulled down security gates and moved people into back rooms. “We heard three or four pops and the whole floor went silent before everyone ran,” said Patricia Salazar, who was buying gifts with her family. Outside, traffic clogged Stevens Creek Boulevard as people left the mall area. A worker at a shoe store said staff cut music, turned off lights and waited for officers to escort them out. By late evening, police guided small groups to exit points after clearing each hallway.
As of Saturday afternoon, police said the victims were recovering and the mall was open with extra security. Detectives were still gathering video and awaiting ballistic analysis, with the next update expected later this weekend.
Author note: Last updated November 29, 2025.