One person was killed and another was critically injured in a shooting Sunday at San Pedro Square, a popular entertainment district in downtown San Jose that has served as a gathering place for FIFA World Cup fans, authorities said.

San Jose police said officers responded to reports of gunfire and found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

One victim died at the scene, while the second was taken to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.

“This incident is being investigated as a homicide,” the San Jose Police Department said in a statement posted on X. “Several surrounding streets are closed in the area.”

Authorities did not immediately release the identities of the victims or provide information about a possible suspect or motive.

The shooting occurred at San Pedro Square, one of several locations across the San Francisco Bay Area designated as official fan gathering sites where large crowds have assembled throughout the World Cup to watch matches on giant outdoor screens.

Officials noted that no World Cup match was being shown when the shooting occurred. The day’s only tournament game had ended several hours earlier.

A Reuters journalist at the scene observed a significant police response, including multiple patrol vehicles and emergency personnel. Investigators cordoned off the area while officers collected evidence and interviewed witnesses.

The journalist also witnessed emergency responders transporting a person on a stretcher that was partially covered with a white sheet away from the scene.

Following the shooting, authorities closed surrounding streets and most restaurants and bars in the immediate area suspended operations while investigators processed the crime scene.

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

“The person was still moaning and groaning. There was blood around his neck and upper back,” the security guard said, declining to be identified because she was not authorized to speak publicly. “Police were talking to security and a couple of witnesses.”

The Bay Area has welcomed thousands of football supporters throughout the tournament and has hosted five World Cup matches, including a recent knockout round contest between Bosnia and the United States.

Dozens of designated fan zones have operated across the region, drawing large crowds for public screenings and related entertainment events.

Investigators have not indicated whether the shooting was connected in any way to World Cup activities, and there was no immediate evidence suggesting the victims had been attending a football related event before the violence occurred.

Law enforcement agencies are expected to review surveillance video from nearby businesses and interview additional witnesses as they work to determine what led to the shooting. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact investigators.

What we know so far

Two people were shot Sunday at San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose. One victim died at the scene, while the other remains hospitalized with life threatening injuries. Police have classified the case as a homicide investigation.

What authorities are saying

San Jose police said detectives are actively investigating the shooting and have closed several streets surrounding the crime scene. Officials have not announced any arrests or identified a suspect.

Why this matters

The shooting occurred at one of the Bay Area’s most popular public gathering places during the FIFA World Cup, raising renewed concerns about public safety at large entertainment venues. Although the incident did not occur during a match broadcast, it unfolded at a location closely associated with tournament celebrations.

What happens next

Detectives will continue collecting forensic evidence, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Authorities are expected to release additional details as the homicide investigation progresses.

The incident highlights the security challenges that accompany major international sporting events, even when violence is unrelated to the competition itself. Fan zones and entertainment districts often attract thousands of visitors, requiring heightened coordination between law enforcement, venue operators and event organizers. The findings of the investigation could influence security planning for future large scale public gatherings in the Bay Area.

Story source: Reuters.