San José couple baffled as 50 strangers knocked on their door. When they realized why, they let everyone in
'I realized there’s something bad going on. I had to let them in the house.'
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of gun violence that some readers may find distressing.
Hundreds of people were exposed to life-threatening danger due to the tragic shooting at the Valley Fair Mall in San José on Black Friday, per NBC News. While everything was helter-skelter and hundreds of shoppers were escaping, a couple, Martin and Irene Garcia, made one move that comforted many, per ABC 7 News. Living across the street where the fateful event unfolded, they generously opened their home to a couple of strangers and prevented further damage, distress, and panic. In the eyes of those 50-plus victims whom they rescued, they are nothing short of heroes.
A clip shared captures two girls approaching the Garcias’ home. As soon as their doorbell rang, Martin was stunned to see people rushing towards his doorstep. The girls first asked whether they could come in, and before he knew it, chaos ensued. “Just for a second I thought, ‘Maybe it was a prank, or maybe I was being pranked because they all ran to the back of the house,” he recalled. Before he could make sense of what was happening, he saw more worried people rushing in. “And I realized there’s something bad going on. I had to let them in the house,” he remarked.
He immediately called his wife, who was running errands with their sons, and asked them to get home. For a long time, people were all over their space, scared, frustrated, traumatized by what they had just experienced. They had no idea what was to come next and so tried their best to find cover inside the home until things felt safe. The couple decided to be the perfect hosts they could be at the time. They arranged for pizza and prayed with the victims. They also played some Christmas songs to try and soothe the distressed. They exhibited kindness on a whole different level, and it takes serious bravery to make that happen. Some of the people even stayed until midnight because they were unable to get to their vehicles.
Orieyonna Johnson, one of the victims, who managed to get to safety in the Garcias’ home, said, “We landed on the street of our wonderful new friends, the angels. It was a breathtaking moment, the love and comfort we felt when Mr. Garcia opened his arms like an angel,” she remarked. When speaking of her husband’s impromptu idea to take strangers into their home, Irene said that she was not shocked. “This is how Martin is. He’s extremely helpful. It’s no surprise that Martin opened his door and 50-plus strangers came in. He’s got a big, big heart, and that was definitely on display that day,” she said.
The police arrested a 17-year-old suspect who also held previous charges for gun violence. He was reportedly trying to shoot a rival member and ended up shooting at innocent shoppers, too. While the Garcias were devastated by the whole incident, they couldn’t help but look on the bright side. In addition to the fact that no lives were lost, Martin also noted, “They were kind of taking care of each other,” and that must have been a humane and kind gesture to witness. The internet, too, praised the couple for their deed. Susan Wright said, “The Garcias are proof that there are beautiful people everywhere if we just open our eyes and hearts.” Patsy Delarosa Green added, “That family had no idea who they were letting into their home but they put faith in humanity like so few do these days.”
If you are in the vicinity of a shooting, please dial 911 for immediate assistance with the danger.
More on Scoop Upworthy
10 times quick-witted and humble strangers acted like superheroes for distressed people
10 wholesome interactions with strangers the left a lasting impact on people's lives
Share on Facebook
