A shooting occurred over the weekend at a California food festival that left 12 people injured and three people dead, including a 6-year-old boy.
What We Know:
- Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee confirmed Monday that the shooting at Gilroy Garlic Festival claimed the lives of 25-year-old Trevor Irby, 13-year-old Keyla Salazar, and 6-year-old Stephen Romero. “I couldn’t believe what was happening, that what she was saying was a lie, that maybe I was dreaming,” Romero’s father told The Mercury News.
- According to Joy Alexiou, a spokesperson for Santa Clara County Health System, five patients remain at their hospital after one patient was discharged and another was transferred to Stanford. Of the five patients, one is in critical condition, two are in serious condition and two are in fair condition.
- The gunman, who was identified as 19-year-old Santino William Legan, used an AK-47 assault-type rifle when he fired into the crowd of attendees at the festival, CNN reported. Officers shot and killed Legan within a minute after arriving at the scene.
- Attendees were required to pass through metal detectors and security before getting into the park, however, authorities believe the suspect cut through a fence near the creek with a tool to enter the event, which was about 30 miles south of San Jose.
- Investigators discovered Legan’s recent posts on Instagram that criticize people of mixed racial heritage with reference to a book popular among white supremacists. Legan’s Instagram account has since been taken down.
- Smithee said they had “reports of a potential second suspect” and a manhunt is underway but their involvement is currently unknown.
Officials have not identified the motive behind the shooting but with the cooperation of his family, police are investigating if the shooter was associated with anyone or any groups.
