Thousands were evacuated and three were injured after a gunman opened fire in Valley Fair Mall in San Jose, California, on Black Friday, Nov. 28. About 50 people found peaceful refuge inside the nearby home of Martin and Irene Garcia after the mall shooting.
“There’s a shooter inside the mall. Can we come in, please?” a frantic shopper said on doorbell camera footage obtained by ABC News.
Family Opens Home to Those Fleeing Mall Shooting
In the midst of chaos and fear, more than 50 people were welcomed into Martin and Irene Garcia’s home after a mall shooting in San Jose. The Garcias live just a block from the mall.
“Come inside, come inside my house,” Martin is heard saying as shoppers ran up and down the street of his home. “If you need to, come in my house, go in my house.”
The mall was immediately evacuated, and many were unable to return to their cars parked at the mall.
“Doorbell camera video shows San Jose couple Martin and Irene Garcia opening the doors of their home to let over 50 fleeing shoppers in to hide inside after a gunman opened fire inside Valley Fair Mall on Black Friday,” reported ABC News.
The Garcias sprang into action, ordering pizza, praying together, and listening to Christmas music.
“The floors were just lined through the hallway,” recalled Martin. “Everywhere there was a space, people were sitting down because they were wanting to take cover in case something was going to happen.”
Many shoppers were unable to get back to their own vehicles, so they stayed in the Garcias’ home for six hours.
Irene witnessed many parents reuniting with their children who had taken cover in the home of a stranger. “It was really beautiful to see that,” she said. “As a parent, that’s your worst fear.”
Doorbell camera video shows San Jose couple Martin and Irene Garcia opening the doors of their home to let over 50 fleeing shoppers in to hide inside after a gunman opened fire inside Valley Fair Mall on Black Friday. Martin and his wife quickly turned their home into a place of… pic.twitter.com/kcZgE3Huog
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) December 2, 2025
