Spectator and police officer injured at sideshow in San Jose – NBC Bay Area

San Jose police are searching for those behind a dangerous sideshow that occurred near Santana Row on Saturday night and left a bystander and a police officer injured.

The department and many in the community are calling this incident “unacceptable.”

A video was posted on social media that appears to show several people with markings jumping on and hitting a San Jose Police Department patrol car.

San Jose Police received reports that shortly before 7 p.m. on Saturday, a sideshow was taking place directly in front of the Santana Row shopping center and a sideshow spectator was struck by a car involved.

According to police, a reserve officer wanted to help an injured person, but was unable to do so because his patrol car was overrun by spectators at the fair.

The patrol vehicle was badly damaged and the officer suffered minor injuries, police said.

“The individuals involved in this case face a number of serious charges, including vandalism and violent assault on a police officer. They could also face additional charges, including delay in the performance of police officer’s duties,” said Steven Clark, a legal expert and former prosecutor.

Clark said he is confident that the San Jose Police Department will take this case very seriously and will try to identify not only the people who caused the car damage, but also those who incited them to do it.

Acting San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said he would “personally work with the District Attorney to ensure that these suspects are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law once they are arrested.”

People who work at nearby restaurants said the sideshow occurred during the day and at peak dinner time at the intersection of Olin and Winchester.

“I just came outside and saw a lot of smoke and a lot of people everywhere and people drifting their cars,” said Cooper Murdock, who works nearby.

People at the mall said it was shocking for them to see this in daylight when there were so many families and pedestrians there.

“It’s really unfortunate and frustrating for someone like me who likes to walk a lot and doesn’t feel comfortable knowing that things like this are happening even during the day,” said Amanda Rawson, who was getting her nails done at the mall.

San Jose Police are asking anyone with video or information about this sideshow to contact them.