Deadly Shooting in San Jose Shopping Center Parking Lot

Man kills ex-girlfriend, then himself in apparent murder-suicide

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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San Jose police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the parking lot of a West San Jose shopping center on Tuesday morning. The incident left two people dead - a 43-year-old man who shot and killed his 24-year-old ex-girlfriend before turning the gun on himself.

Why it matters

This tragic incident marks the fourth homicide investigated by San Jose police so far this year, and the proximity to a previous murder-suicide within the same shopping complex may heighten community concern and prompt further examination of potential factors contributing to such violence.

The details

According to police, the shooting involved a man who confronted a woman with whom he had a prior dating relationship that had ended several months earlier. The man, identified as Edgard Altamirano, shot the woman multiple times before fatally shooting himself. Investigators recovered a legally registered firearm at the scene that is believed to have been used in the shooting. Altamirano had no known criminal history or domestic violence restraining orders.

  • The shooting occurred at approximately 11:38 a.m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2026.
  • In 2011, a similar murder-suicide occurred within the same shopping complex, approximately a couple of hundred yards from Tuesday's shooting.

The players

Edgard Altamirano

A 43-year-old resident of San Jose who shot and killed his 24-year-old ex-girlfriend before taking his own life.

The 24-year-old female victim

A San Jose resident whose identity has not yet been publicly released pending notification of her next of kin.

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What they’re saying

“Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the SJPD homicide unit at 408-277-5283, Detective Sgt. Richard Martinez at [email protected], or Detective Christina Jize at [email protected].”

— San Jose Police Department (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Investigators are seeking information from family, friends, coworkers and potential bystanders to determine the precise events leading up to the shooting. The judge will also decide on whether to allow the shooter, Edgard Altamirano, to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing challenges of domestic violence and the need for greater awareness, prevention, and support services to help address such incidents and protect vulnerable individuals. The proximity to a previous similar event in the same location also raises questions about potential environmental or community factors that may contribute to violence in this area.