Terrified mall-goers ran for their lives on one of the busiest shopping days of the year after a gunman opened fire in West San Jose, California.
Horrifying videos and photos showed shoppers in Westfield Valley Fair Mall taking cover and running for shelter at around 5.40 pm local time on Black Friday.
Hundreds of bargain-hungry customers ran for the nearest exits or hid behind piles of clothing and mannequins as panic swept through Westfield.
More footage showed people flooding the sidewalks and escaping past a storefront with shattered glass strewn onto the pavement outside the mall.
Police confirmed that three victims, two adults and a 16-year-old girl, sustained gunshot wounds and have been taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses inside the mall recounted the horror online, with many saying that they were terrified while huddling in stores when authorities issued a lockdown.
After cramming into shops for safety amid the gunfire, panicked shoppers rapidly evacuated the premises.
People were seen fleeing the mall for safety – flooding the sidewalks as they quickly moved away from the shopping center.
Two officers were seen patrolling the mall with guns drawn
‘What the f**k?’ one fearful shopper screamed as he and a slew of others sprinted out of the doomed shopping center, according to a heart-pounding TikTok video. ‘Shooting!’ a woman is heard shouting.
The hoards of people exiting the building were greeted by emergency vehicles and first responders swarming the area.
One mall patron, who never expected their leisurely shopping trip to take a dangerous turn, wrote on X: ‘I’ve never seen so many people running.
‘I literally thought it was a dine and dash or shoplifting at first because I couldn’t understand what was happening.’
An image depicting the aftermath of the shooting shows a storefront’s window shattered by a bullet.
A man claiming to be inside when bullets rang recalled hearing at least 15 shots fired.
Officers are continuing to clear out the mall and said there is ‘no ongoing threat to public safety.’
While the situation is no longer active, authorities have urged locals to stay away from the area as the investigation continues.
‘San Jose – this is not the news I wanted to share with you this holiday weekend,’ San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said of the shooting just one day after Thanksgiving.
‘My prayers are with these victims and I know our officers are doing everything they can to find the person responsible and hold them accountable.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to the San Jose Police Department (SJPD) for more information.
A bullet shattered the window of one of the stores inside of the mall
Chaos erupted at Westfield Valley Fair Mall in West San Jose, California, on Friday, police announced just after 6 pm local time
Security advisor Patrick Fiel, the founder of PVF Security Consulting, told the Daily Mail that people should be especially cautious while holiday shopping.
‘Being extra vigilant this holiday season will help keep you safe. Always trust your instincts and report any and all suspicious activity,’ he warned.
‘Law enforcement agencies across the nation have reported an increase in calls during the holiday season, which is partially attributed to shoppers placing greater emphasis on gift selection rather than personal safety.’
In the event of an active shooter, Fiel has advised the public to ‘run, hide and fight.’
‘Getting away from the attacker is the top priority. Leave your belongings behind and get away,’ he wrote.
If you are unable to evacuate, Fiel said to look for a solid place to hide, preferably somewhere with a barrier between you and the attacker.
Fighting the assailant is the absolute last resort. But in the face of danger, Fiel has urged people to be ‘aggressive.’
‘Recruit others to ambush the attacker with makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors, books,’ he suggested.
The Westfield Valley Mall, commonly known as Valley Fair Mall, opened its doors in 1986.
It has more than 200 stores and nearly 70 dining options. It is also home to an escape room and a bowling alley, making it a popular location for families.
