Unanswered questions remain after a deadly fire in San Jose took the life of a beloved small business owner in what police say was an act of arson.
Chris Tran, co-owner of a local T-shirt business, died early Sunday morning after a blaze engulfed a warehouse on the 200 block of North 27th Street in the Roosevelt Park neighborhood. The fire also destroyed two other nearby businesses. A small sidewalk memorial now marks the site, as family, friends, and community members mourn the loss of what many describe as a kind soul and dedicated entrepreneur.
Investigators say the fire was intentionally set, and witness statements along with physical evidence at the scene point to 35-year-old Yessenia Estrada, an unhoused woman well known to local authorities. She was arrested Monday and originally held on charges of murder and arson. However, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office has instead filed charges of involuntary manslaughter and arson, citing a lack of intent to kill.
“This is what’s called involuntary manslaughter,” explained Deputy District Attorney Pablo Wudka-Robles. “It’s when someone does something extremely dangerous to human life without intending to cause death.”
Estrada reportedly has a prior misdemeanor conviction for arson and has been seen setting fires in the area, according to nearby business owners. Mayor Matt Mahan released a strongly worded statement expressing outrage over the situation, blaming the criminal justice system for repeatedly releasing Estrada despite her ongoing criminal behavior.
“This suspect is well-known to our police officers,” Mahan wrote. “She’s had multiple court appearances for misdemeanors and felonies in the last two years and she’s been returned to the streets by the court system. Now a beloved small business owner has been killed.”
Chris Tran’s death has sparked anger and grief across the community, as authorities continue to investigate the motive and circumstances surrounding the fire. Estrada, currently under psychiatric evaluation, is expected back in court Friday afternoon at the Hall of Justice.
