One person was killed and another seriously injured in a shooting near San Pedro Square, a popular entertainment and World Cup fan zone site in San Jose, California, on the night of June 28, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The incident occurred between 9:10 and 9:12 p.m. local time, several hours after the only World Cup match of the day had ended around 2 p.m. [1, 2, 4].
The two victims, both San Jose residents, were walking together on foot when a suspect in a vehicle approached and opened fire before fleeing the scene [3, 5, 4]. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene near a ramen restaurant about one block from San Pedro Square [3, 5, 4]. The other collapsed in the fan zone area and was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries but was expected to survive [3, 5, 4].
San Jose police described the shooting as an isolated homicide unrelated to any World Cup activities or watch parties taking place near the fan zone [3, 5, 4]. The department spokesperson Stacie Shih said, "I want to make clear that, although this was an isolated incident and unrelated to any World Cup watch activities, we understand the importance of fans and visitors feeling safe when coming to downtown San Jose. The San Jose Police Department will be ensuring high visibility in and around the area." [3]
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan condemned the violence, calling it "brazenness" near an area where families and fans gather for World Cup events, while emphasizing the shooting had no connection to the tournament [3]. The mayor said, "I am grateful that Sunday’s programming had ended hours earlier, and there is no indication this violence was connected to the event." [3]
Police responded quickly, closing several streets and cordoning off the area around San Pedro Square. Most nearby bars closed following the incident [1, 2, 6]. Authorities continue to investigate the case to determine the motive and identify the suspect [1, 3, 5].
The San Pedro Square fan zone is one of dozens across the San Francisco Bay Area hosting World Cup watch parties, but officials stress the shooting was not related to those activities [1, 2, 6]. Police promised to maintain increased visibility in downtown San Jose to ensure safety for residents and fans [3, 5, 4].
Authorities publicly confirmed the details of the shooting and its status as a homicide on June 29, the day after the incident [3, 5, 4].
