A man, a woman and a 16-year-old girl were hospitalized; all are expected to survive.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Authorities are searching for a suspect who opened fire inside Westfield Valley Fair on Black Friday, wounding three people and forcing a lockdown and evacuation as thousands shopped the day after Thanksgiving.
Investigators said the shooting began with a confrontation near the Macy’s store around 5:40 p.m. Friday. Police found three victims—an adult male believed to be the target, plus an adult woman and a teenage girl hit by stray rounds. All were taken to local hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening. Police said the episode was contained to a single dispute, not an active-shooter rampage, and urged patience as detectives sift through witness statements and security video from one of the Bay Area’s busiest malls.
Officers from San José and Santa Clara arrived within minutes, sealed entrances, and moved teams down the second-floor concourse to secure stores where shoppers had barricaded doors. The suspected gunman fled before police reached the scene. Chief Paul Joseph said the department was adding foot and car patrols across major shopping corridors through the weekend. “Our detectives are working every lead and I’m confident we’ll identify the individual responsible,” Joseph said. The victims’ identities were withheld pending notification of relatives. Police did not immediately share a detailed suspect description, citing the need to verify images from multiple cameras.
Authorities said preliminary evidence indicates the gunfire followed a verbal dispute and that two bystanders were unintentionally struck. The scene stretched along 2855 Stevens Creek Boulevard, where officers marked shell casings near the Macy’s side. Fire crews staged outside as store employees kept customers in back rooms and stock areas until hallways were cleared. Investigators are analyzing ballistic evidence and tracking digital tips. The mall’s management said it was cooperating fully and planned to reopen after police returned the property, with added security and visible patrols.
The incident briefly halted the holiday shopping kickoff at a regional draw that spans Santa Clara and San José city lines. Valley Fair underwent a major expansion in recent years and attracts heavy crowds during Thanksgiving weekend. Lawmakers and local leaders expressed relief that injuries were not worse and called the episode a reminder of the strain retail workers face during peak season. Nearby roads, including segments of Stevens Creek Boulevard, slowed to a crawl as families exited the area and officers directed traffic around responding units.
Detectives are piecing together a precise timeline from dispatch logs, 911 calls, and store cameras, officials said. If a suspect is identified, police will seek an arrest warrant and forward evidence to the Santa Clara County District Attorney for review of potential assault with a firearm and related charges. Additional updates are expected as early as Sunday, including any stills from surveillance once they are vetted. Meanwhile, uniformed officers will remain posted at the mall and surrounding lots through the weekend to reassure shoppers and staff.
Several shoppers recounted moments of confusion and quick coordination by store workers. “They pulled down the gate and told us to stay low,” said Aiden Chu, who was in line at a clothing store when he heard what sounded like four shots. Outside, families clustered near rideshare pick-up zones as sirens echoed. By late evening, officers escorted groups out in waves and advised those who left belongings to return when stores reopened.
As of Saturday afternoon, all three victims were reported in stable condition, the mall had reopened with increased security, and the search for the gunman continued with detectives reviewing new tips and surveillance footage.
Author note: Last updated November 29, 2025.