What kind of crime is surging in central San Jose?

 

Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

During Q1 2026, it's been full-spectrum crime activity in SJ’s hub, from murder to shootings to robbery--and more. From Path Seldom Traveled on Medium.

Homicide / Fatal Shootings (5 deaths)

  • Jan 21 — Carjacking suspect shootout near San Pedro Square; suspect killed by police, SJPD sergeant shot in head but survives.

  • Feb 8 — Double homicide on 100 block of Paseo de San Antonio; two men shot and killed.

  • Mar 12 — Double shooting in Naglee Park (700 block E Santa Clara St); two men killed inside commercial building.

Non‑fatal Shootings / Mass Shooting

  • Feb 8 — Mass shooting at N. Market St & W. Santa Clara St after Super Bowl; at least five adults shot, all expected to survive.

Hit‑and‑Run / Fatal Traffic Crimes (4 deaths)

  • Feb 7 — Hit‑and‑run pedestrian fatality at Capitol Ave & Longford Dr (near downtown); adult female killed.

  • Mar 6 — Hit‑and‑run pedestrian fatality on I‑680 offramp at Alum Rock Ave (near 10th St); 63‑year‑old woman killed.

  • Mar 13 — Hit‑and‑run pedestrian fatality on southbound I‑280 10th St off‑ramp; man walking against traffic killed.

  • Mar 14: Bicyclist fatality by speeding Tesla on Coleman Ave & Hedding St (near Columbus Park).

Other Serious Traffic / DUI Incidents

  • Feb 28 — Suspected DUI crash on I‑280 in San Jose; car hits tree and splits, serious injury to passenger, no fatality.

  • Mar 15 — Suspected drunk driver on 7th St downtown slams into multiple parked cars; hit‑and‑run, no injuries reported, substantial property damage.

Robbery / Assault

  • Mar 8 — Robbery and assault targeting women followed from a downtown club (Aura Nightclub) to Murtha Dr; robbed at gunpoint after Uber drop‑off, at least one victim assaulted.

Summary By Category (these known incidents only)

  1. Homicide/fatal shootings: 3 incidents (5 people killed, plus 1 suspect killed in officer‑involved shooting).

  2. Non‑fatal shooting/mass shooting: 1 incident (5+ gunshot victims).

  3. Hit‑and‑run fatal traffic crimes: 4 incidents (3 pedestrians1 biker killed).

  4. Other serious DUI/traffic: 2 incidents (serious injury, property damage).

  5. Robbery/assault (non‑fatal): 1 incident (armed robbery, assault injury).

  6. This categorization covers the specific 1Q26 downtown‑area incidents; it is not a complete count of all offenses reported to SJPD for downtown in this quarter.

Read more here.

Follow Opportunity Now on Twitter @svopportunity

We prize letters from our thoughtful readers. Typed on a Smith Corona. Written in longhand on fine stationery. Scribbled on a napkin. Hey, even composed on email. Feel free to send your comments to us at opportunitynowsv@gmail.com or (snail mail) 1590 Calaveras Ave., SJ, CA 95126. Remember to be thoughtful and polite. We will post letters on an irregular basis on the main Opp Now site.

christopher escher