One Killed, another critically injured in shooting at World Cup Fan Zone in California

One person was killed and another critically injured following a shooting at San Pedro Square, a popular entertainment district in San Jose, California, on Sunday, authorities said.

The incident occurred at a venue serving as an official FIFA World Cup fan zone during the ongoing tournament. However, police clarified that no World Cup match was being shown at the time of the shooting, as the day’s only fixture had ended around 2 p.m. local time.

According to the San Jose Police Department, officers responded to reports of gunfire at San Pedro Square and found two victims at the scene.

> “One victim was pronounced deceased on scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries,” the department said in a post on X.

Police have launched a homicide investigation into the incident, while several streets surrounding San Pedro Square were closed as detectives examined the scene and gathered evidence.

San Pedro Square is one of several official FIFA World Cup fan zones established across the San Francisco Bay Area, attracting thousands of football supporters who gather to watch matches on large outdoor screens.

The Bay Area has already hosted five FIFA World Cup matches, with the latest fixture played on Wednesday when Bosnia faced co-hosts the United States in a knockout-round clash.

Witnesses reported a heavy police presence following the shooting, with numerous patrol vehicles and emergency responders deployed to the area. A Reuters journalist at the scene observed paramedics taking one of the victims away on a stretcher while officers cordoned off the area with police tape.

A security guard who witnessed the aftermath said the surviving victim appeared to have suffered severe injuries.

> “The person was still moaning and groaning. There was blood around his neck and upper back,” she said, adding that investigators were interviewing security personnel and other witnesses.

Police have not announced any arrests or disclosed a possible motive for the shooting, while investigations remain ongoing.