San Jose Shop Owner Killed in Fire, Officials Say It Was Arson By Unhoused Woman With Prior Arson Charges

A fire in San Jose's Roosevelt Park neighborhood claimed the life of Chris Tran, the 51-year-old founder of Branding Out, on Sunday morning. Firefighters arrived at the scene around 3:55 am to find the two-story building fully engulfed in flames. Officials quickly identified the cause as arson, leading to the arrest of 35-year-old Yessenia Estrada, who has a prior conviction for misdemeanor arson. Estrada faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and arson, indicating her actions were extremely dangerous. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan condemned the incident, noting the community's outrage over the suspect's history of offenses and the judicial system's failure to prevent her from returning to the streets.

Local business owners reported having witnessed Estrada setting fires in the past, raising concerns about public safety. This tragic event has highlighted ongoing issues regarding homelessness and crime in the area. Estrada is currently on a psychiatric hold and scheduled to be arraigned at Santa Clara County Superior Court.