A 42-year-old man succumbed to injuries he sustained during a brutal assault at a Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail station in San Jose. Authorities are also examining the suspect’s involvement in another incident at a different transit location.
The victim, who lived in San Jose, died in the hospital on Wednesday, October 8. He was admitted with severe head trauma following the attack on September 29 at the Gish VTA Light Rail Station, as reported by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
“It is with sadness we announce the passing of the victim from the VTA platform assault due to his injuries,” the Sheriff’s Office stated, adding that the investigation has now shifted to a homicide case.
Officers arrived at the Gish station shortly before midnight that evening, discovering the man unconscious and critically injured.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest of Brandon Fryshaw, 23, in relation to the fatal assault on the transit platform.
Investigators apprehended Fryshaw within hours of the incident and have since connected him to another assault at the Saint James VTA Light Rail Station. However, authorities have yet to disclose details regarding this second attack.
The case has been forwarded to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for review and possible charges. Fryshaw was initially booked on a charge of attempted murder.
“This case reflects the urgency and commitment our investigators bring to violent crimes,” said Capt. Sugey Jaimez, who oversees the Investigative Services Division.
An empty Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail station is photographed along North First Street on Thursday, May 27, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. (Aric Crabb/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)
The incident comes as the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office releases its 2024 Annual Statistics Report, offering a detailed look at countywide crime trends and enforcement activity. While the overall crime rate rose slightly last year, the report shows a decline in violent crimes, including aggravated assaults and robberies, even as property crimes such as theft and burglary increased.
Sheriff Robert Jonsen said the department remains focused on “transparency and public safety.”
“Our team remains dedicated to ensuring Santa Clara County is a safe place to live, work and thrive,” Jonsen said. “We continue to build trust through accountability and innovation.”
Brandon Fryshaw is suspected of two transit attacks in San Jose. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
According to the report:
Violent crime rate: 2.27 per 1,000 residents — significantly lower than the California average of 4.80.
Property crime rate: 13.98 per 1,000 residents — below the state average of 20.83.
Total reported felonies: 1,964 across all Sheriff’s Office jurisdictions.
The report also details reductions in use-of-force incidents, improvements in response times and continued progress in recruitment and diversity — part of what the Sheriff’s Office calls its ongoing effort to serve with professionalism and integrity.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office for comment.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
