3 Reported Deaths, Several Injuries After Shooting at Gilroy Garlic Festival in California

As many as 11 people are reportedly injured, with reports of at least three dead, after a shooting [...]

By Andrew Roberts

As many as 11 people are reportedly injured, with reports of at least three dead, after a shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Northern California according to NBC Bay Area news. Shocking video quickly hit social media showing spectators running for their lives and shots can be heard in the background.

The annual festival is around 30 miles from San Jose according to NBC News and is considered one of the largest food festivals in the United States today. Sunday was day three of the event and the gunshots came near the end of the festival.

NBC cites a witness, Julissa Contreras, who said that she saw a "white man in his early to mid-30s firing a rifle" and the gun was "able to shoot three to four shots a second." Secondary reports indicate that there may be another shooter involved too, with one dead and another "outstanding" according to Maureen Naylor of KTVU.

"It was just rapid firing," she told NBC News. " I could see him shooting in just every direction. He wasn't aiming at anyone specifically. It was just left to right, right to left. He definitely was prepared for what he was doing."

The Gilroy Police released a statement announcing the suspect was still an active shooter, trying to control the situation and keep people safe the best that they could.

"The hearts of Gilroy PD and entire community go out to the victims of today's shooting at the Garlic Festival. The scene is still active. If you are looking for a loved one, please go to the reunification center at Gavilan College at parking lot B."

gilroy_police_tweet
(Photo: Gilroy Police/Twitter)

One witness told NBC News that she heard 10 to 15 bangs that she thought were "firecrackers," while some on social media have shared their own accounts of what they experienced. These have not been verified at this point.

"Thank god me and my family made it out safe. I swear we need more strict gun laws! I swear I was on survival mode to get my nieces out safe!" one user claimed on Twitter.

"[Scariest] moments of my life at the Gilroy garlic festival. I hope everyone made it out okay," another added.

NBC News adds that at least two victims were already being treated at Santa Clara County Medical Center and were expecting at least three more currently, possibly arriving by helicopter.

0comments
Start the Conversation

of