Teen Charged in Valley Fair Mall Black Friday Shooting Faces Potential Adult Court Trial
SAN JOSE, CA – A teenager is facing attempted murder and assault with a semi-automatic firearm charges in connection with a shooting that injured three peopel at westfield Valley Fair mall in San Jose on Black friday, November 24th. Santa Clara County prosecutors announced the charges today and are seeking to try the suspect as an adult.
The shooting occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. inside the Bay AreaS largest mall, allegedly stemming from an argument with a perceived gang rival. According to prosecutors, the teenager fired six shots, striking a male victim in the chest. Two other individuals – a woman and a 16-year-old girl – sustained injuries from stray gunfire. All three victims were treated at local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect, whose name is being withheld due to his age, was arrested two days after the incident at a San Jose residence. Investigators report the teenager and the male victim did not know each other prior to the shooting.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen condemned the act, stating, “Six bullets hit three people, shut down the city’s largest mall and sent fear through our community.” He added, “We are filing the most serious charges and asking that they be heard in adult court, where the consequences reflect the recklessness and danger of fighting a senseless gang war inside a mall crowded with holiday shoppers.”
A judge will now determine whether the case will be transferred to adult court. If tried and convicted as an adult, the teenager would face significantly harsher penalties than those available in the juvenile justice system.
The gunfire triggered widespread panic, with shoppers fleeing into nearby homes, garages, and stores.The District Attorney’s Victim Services’ Unit’s Mariposas Resiliency Center is offering free counseling and advocacy services to those traumatized by the shooting.
The teenager’s next court date is scheduled for December 12th at 1:30 p.m. in the Santa Clara County Juvenile Court.
Context: Attempted murder and assault with a firearm are serious felonies in California. The decision to try a juvenile as an adult is typically reserved for cases involving violent crimes and is based on factors such as the severity of the offense,the juvenile’s prior record,and the potential for rehabilitation. If convicted as an adult, the teenager could face decades in state prison.
