One killed, one critically injured in shooting at San Jose World Cup fan zone
A shooting at San Pedro Square in San Jose, California, a popular World Cup fan zone, left one person dead and another with life-threatening injuries on Sunday, police said. No match was being screened at the time.
What happened
On Sunday, a shooting at San Pedro Square in San Jose, California, left one person dead and another with life-threatening injuries. The square is a popular entertainment district that has been serving as a World Cup fan zone, screening matches on big screens. Police confirmed the incident is being investigated as a homicide.
One victim was pronounced deceased on scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
No match in progress
Authorities stressed that no World Cup match was being screened at the time of the shooting. The only match of the day, Canada versus South Africa, had finished around 2 p.m. local time (2100 GMT). The Bay Area has hosted five World Cup matches so far, the most recent a knockout game on Wednesday between Bosnia and the co-host United States.
Scene and witness accounts
A Reuters journalist at the scene reported a heavy police presence, multiple police vehicles, and a person on a stretcher partially covered by a white sheet being rushed away by uniformed personnel. The area was cordoned off and most bars nearby were closed after the incident.
A security guard who asked not to be named described seeing the injured person in distress.
The person was still moaning and groaning. There was blood around his neck and upper back. Police were talking to security and a couple of witnesses.
Investigation and response
Several surrounding streets were closed as police gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses. No arrests have been reported as of Monday morning. The motive remains unknown. San Pedro Square is one of several dozen fan zones across the San Francisco Bay Area that have drawn large crowds for World Cup watch parties.
World Cup in the Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the host regions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. San Pedro Square has been a designated fan zone, drawing large crowds for lively watch parties. The region has already staged five tournament matches, including a knockout-round clash between Bosnia and the United States on Wednesday. It is unclear whether the fan zone will remain open following the shooting.
