A shooting at San Pedro Square in San Jose on Sunday night left one person dead and another with life-threatening injuries, authorities said. The incident occurred around 9:10pm at the entertainment venue, which has been hosting World Cup watch parties throughout the tournament.
San Jose police classified the shooting as a homicide. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene while the second was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Police closed several surrounding streets as the investigation unfolded.
No World Cup matches were being screened at the time of the shooting. The day's final tournament game had concluded around 2pm local time, meaning the venue was operating as a standard entertainment spot rather than an active fan zone when the violence erupted.
A Reuters journalist on scene reported heavy police presence with multiple vehicles stationed around the area. Emergency responders transported one victim away on a stretcher, partially covered by a white sheet. Most bars in the immediate vicinity closed following the incident, and police cordoned off the zone.
A security guard who witnessed part of the aftermath described seeing the injured person in severe distress. "The person was still moaning and groaning," she said, noting blood visible around the victim's neck and upper back. Police were interviewing security staff and witnesses gathered at the scene.
San Pedro Square stands among the most popular gathering spots in the San Francisco Bay Area for World Cup celebrations. The region has hosted five matches so far, with organizers planning additional events including a knockout match scheduled for Wednesday between Bosnia and the host US team.
The Bay Area hosts several dozen fan zones scattered across multiple cities, drawing large crowds for screening events. The shooting marks a rare instance of violence disrupting what have been otherwise lively, peaceful gatherings throughout the tournament's Bay Area run.
Author James Rodriguez: "A deadly shooting at a prominent World Cup gathering spot reveals how even celebratory public events remain vulnerable to sudden violence."
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