Shooting at California Food Festival Leaves Community in Shock

Tags: Currents California, FBI, Media, National News, Shooting

Currents News Staff

A weekend of fun and family at the Gilroy, California Garlic Festival ended in tragedy after a gunman opened fire on attendees, killing three and sending 12 others to hospitals.

Witnesses said that on Sunday, July 28 a band was starting its encore at the annual three-day festival when the crowd heard what they thought were fireworks or part of the production. 

“Two shots rang out first and at the same time the music started, but after a few seconds there were so many shots, there were people falling down. kids falling down,” said one witness.

“It’s so scary, it’s just so emotional,” another witness added. 

Authorities think the shooter used a tool to cut through the fence to gain access to the festival.

“Officers were in that area and engaged the suspect in less than a minute. the suspect was shot and killed,” confirmed Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee.

“To see this event end this way, this day is one of the most tragic and sad things I’ve ever had to see,” he added. 

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI are joining local departments with the investigation.

A possible second suspect is being sought by police, but it’s unclear what role they may have played in the shooting.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said the shooting “is nothing short of horrific.”