'Self-Inflicted' Gunfire Incident Incites Chaos At Milpitas Mall

MILPITAS, CA — The sounds of gunfire at the Great Mall in Milpitas Saturday night sent frantic shoppers and workers clamoring together to shelter in place. One man was injured but police said his wounds were self-inflicted.

Witnesses reported that shots were first heard around 5:30 p.m. near the Nike store, according to multiple reports. Workers and holiday shoppers were asked to shelter in place as police searched for suspects, according to the Milpitas Police Department.

Police found a 22-year-old San Francisco man suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Further investigation revealed that the man's wounds were self-inflicted and that he was "not the victim of an act of violence."

The man was treated at a local hospital but it was not immediately known whether he was taken into custody. The Milpitas Police Department did not immediately respond to Patch for comment.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department joined Milpitas police in the initial search for a suspect. But officers eventually escorted all customers and employees out of the mall.

The search was completed at 9:26 p.m., police said.

Two unrelated injuries were reported in the scramble for safety and both people were taken to local hospitals.

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the incident was encouraged to call the Milpitas Police Department at 408-586-2500 or leave at tip on the department's website.