Two people were stabbed in downtown San Jose and two others were shot near a watch party in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood Tuesday night as celebrations following Mexico’s World Cup victory turned violent across the Bay Area.

Downtown San Jose disturbances

Tens of thousands of soccer fans gathered in San Pedro Square to celebrate Mexico’s first World Cup knockout stage victory in 40 years, as the team advanced to a round of 16 match after their win against Ecuador.

The San Jose Police Department said most attendees celebrated peacefully, but disorder grew as the evening wore on. Officers responded to multiple fights, fireworks being set off in crowded areas, and other dangerous behavior before the situation escalated.

“The overwhelming majority of those who attended the watch party came to celebrate responsibly and enjoy a historic event for our city,” the Police Department said in a statement. “Unfortunately, as Tuesday evening progressed, numerous individuals engaged in disorderly and unruly conduct that overshadowed what should have been a positive community celebration.”

Two separate altercations left at least two people with stab wounds. Police said the injuries were not considered life-threatening.

The department also said officers responded after a crowd surrounded an ambulance and several people climbed onto the vehicle, interfering with emergency responders. As officers worked to restore order, bottles were thrown at police.

Police declared an unlawful assembly shortly after 11:30 p.m., ordering people gathered near Santa Clara Street and Almaden Avenue to disperse. 

A second dispersal order was later issued for the area of Post and First streets, directing people to leave.

Multiple people were arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of various crimes, police said.

SF watch party shooting prompts cancellations

Two people were shot and wounded after an argument broke out near a World Cup watch party in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood Tuesday night. 

At 9:11 p.m., police officers responded to the 600 block of Mission Bay Boulevard at the food truck event space Spark Social SF regarding a shooting. 

When officers and paramedics arrived at the scene, two victims had suffered gunshot wounds. The paramedics transported both victims to a hospital and they are expected to survive their injuries. 

Following a preliminary investigation, police said a suspect fired shots after an argument, then proceeded to flee the scene. As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrest had been announced in the case. 

Since the shooting Tuesday night, Spark Social has canceled all remaining World Cup watch parties at the event space “effectively immediately,” according to its website. 

“In the interest of protecting the safety of our guests, staff, vendors, and community, we have made the decision to discontinue public World Cup viewing events for the remainder of the tournament,” the Spark website said. “Our parks remain open for regular business, including dining, reservations, family activities, and scheduled programming, but games will not be broadcast.”

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department tip line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to Tip411.