San Jose, California – A shooting at a hookah lounge early Sunday morning has left one man dead and three others injured, prompting local concerns about safety in the Willow Glen neighborhood.
The incident unfolded around 2:52 a.m. near Lincoln and Curtner avenues, where security footage from a nearby establishment captured a chaotic scene. The video shows approximately two dozen patrons fleeing from the 818 Hookah Lounge moments after the shots were fired. Just minutes later, a dark vehicle was seen departing the area.
Police reports indicate that authorities received multiple calls regarding an active shooter at 2:58 a.m., but when officers arrived, they found no one at the lounge. It was determined later that four individuals had driven themselves to hospitals for treatment. Tragically, one of those victims, identified by family as 25-year-old Elijah Dominguez, was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Neighborhood residents expressed their shock and concern over the violence. “I live just two blocks away, so it’s definitely unsettling,” noted Sean Manning, a local resident. Others have reported hearing gunfire and expressed unease about the frequency of disturbances at the lounge. M.J. Freeman, who has lived in the area for three decades, emphasized the rarity of such incidents. “I’ve never seen police cars or shootings in this neighborhood before,” he said.
As night turned into morning, investigators continued to search neighboring properties, with police officers seen using flashlights as part of their inquiry. Two of the wounded individuals are reported to be in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries, while the third remains in critical condition.
A memorial for Dominguez was established at his family’s East San Jose residence, where friends and family gathered to mourn. Descriptions of the victim indicate a young man loved by those close to him.
Authorities are actively pursuing leads in this investigation, marking the incident as the 25th homicide in San Jose this year. Community members are voicing their desire for increased safety measures in the wake of the violence.
As both the police and local residents grapple with the implications of this tragic event, the community’s attention turns toward greater awareness and action to prevent further occurrences.