One person was killed and another critically injured in a shooting on Sunday at San Pedro Square, a popular entertainment district in downtown San Jose that has been serving as an official World Cup fan zone, police said.
Authorities confirmed that no World Cup matches were being screened when the shooting occurred. The day’s only tournament fixture had ended around 2 p.m. local time.
San Jose police said officers responded to reports of gunfire and found two victims at the scene.
“One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second victim was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries,” police said in a statement posted on X.
Investigators have classified the case as a homicide and closed several streets around the area while forensic teams processed the scene.
San Pedro Square has attracted large crowds throughout the FIFA World Cup, hosting public watch parties on giant screens.
The San Francisco Bay Area has staged five World Cup matches so far, with the most recent taking place on Wednesday when co-hosts the United States faced Bosnia in the knockout stage.
A Reuters journalist at the scene reported a heavy police presence, with numerous patrol vehicles surrounding the area.
Emergency responders were also seen rushing a victim on a stretcher, partially covered with a white sheet, away from the scene.
The entertainment district was cordoned off following the shooting, forcing most nearby bars and businesses to shut down for the evening.
A security guard, who declined to be identified because she was not authorised to speak publicly, said she saw one of the victims shortly after the attack.
“The person was still moaning and groaning. There was blood around his neck and upper back,” she said. “Police were talking to security and a couple of witnesses.”
Authorities have not announced any arrests or disclosed what may have led to the shooting.
San Pedro Square is one of several dozen official World Cup fan zones operating across the Bay Area during the tournament.
