One person was killed while another sustained life-threatening injuries following a shooting at San Pedro Square, a popular entertainment district in San Jose, California, on Sunday.
The incident occurred at a venue being used as an official FIFA World Cup fan zone during the ongoing tournament. However, authorities clarified that no World Cup match was being screened at the time of the shooting, as the day’s only fixture had concluded at approximately 2:00 p.m. local time.
According to the San Jose Police Department, officers responded to reports of gunfire at San Pedro Square and found two victims at the scene.
“One victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries,” the department said in a statement posted on X.
Police have launched a homicide investigation into the shooting. Several streets surrounding San Pedro Square were cordoned off as detectives processed the crime scene and collected evidence.
San Pedro Square is one of several official FIFA World Cup fan zones established across the San Francisco Bay Area, drawing thousands of football fans to watch matches on large outdoor screens throughout the tournament.
The Bay Area has already hosted five FIFA World Cup matches, with the most recent fixture taking place on Wednesday when Bosnia faced co-hosts the United States in a knockout-round clash.
Witnesses reported a heavy police presence following the shooting, with multiple patrol vehicles and emergency responders arriving shortly after the incident. A Reuters journalist at the scene observed paramedics transporting one of the victims on a stretcher while officers secured the area with police tape.
A security guard who witnessed the aftermath said the surviving victim appeared to have suffered severe injuries.
“The person was still moaning and groaning. There was blood around his neck and upper back,” the guard said, adding that investigators were interviewing security personnel and other witnesses.
As of the time of filing this report, police had not announced any arrests or disclosed a possible motive for the shooting. Investigations remain ongoing.
Comments