A deadly double homicide unfolded late on the night of March 12, 2026, in San Jose, California, claiming the life of 27‑year‑old Oscar “Chikilin” Herrera and another adult male victim. Police were dispatched at approximately 10:10–10:11 p.m. to the 700 block of East Santa Clara Street, near the intersection with South 15th Street, in the Naglee Park neighborhood. Responding officers located two men inside a commercial building, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced both victims dead at the scene.
The shooting occurred inside a two‑story commercial structure that houses a market and a hair salon, according to investigators. A neighbor told reporters she heard arguing shortly before the gunfire, followed by the sound of a car speeding away. Police have not confirmed whether the dispute heard by witnesses was directly connected to the killings, but the detail has become a focal point as detectives work to reconstruct the events leading up to the attack.
San Jose Police Department homicide detectives arrived shortly after the initial response and immediately secured the area. East Santa Clara Street was shut down between South 14th and South 16th streets for several hours as investigators processed the scene, collected shell casings, and canvassed the neighborhood for surveillance footage. The commercial building where the victims were found remained cordoned off well into the early morning hours.
Authorities confirmed that both victims had sustained at least one gunshot wound each, though no additional details regarding the number of shots fired or the type of weapon used have been released. Police have not disclosed whether the victims were targeted or if the shooting stemmed from a confrontation inside the building. As of the latest update, no arrests have been made, and no suspect description has been provided to the public.
The deaths of Herrera and the second victim mark San Jose’s fifth and sixth homicides of 2026, underscoring a troubling rise in violent incidents early in the year. Community members in the Naglee Park area expressed concern about the brazenness of the attack, particularly given the proximity to residential homes and small businesses. Police have urged anyone with information or video evidence to come forward as the investigation remains active.
As detectives continue to follow leads, the families of both victims are left grieving and seeking answers. Oscar Herrera, known affectionately as “Chikilin,” was remembered by friends as a warm and well‑liked young man whose life was cut short in a sudden act of violence. Authorities have emphasized that releasing further details at this stage could compromise the investigation, but they remain committed to identifying the person or persons responsible for the double homicide.