4 Dead, Including Suspect, 12 Hurt in Garlic Fest Shooting
Three people were killed, including a 6-year-old boy, and 12 others were wounded Sunday after a gunman cut through a fence to avoid security and opened fire at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California.
The gunman, who was shot and killed by police, has been identified as Santino William Legan, a federal law enforcement official confirmed to NBC News.
A second suspect was still on the loose late Sunday, sources told NBC Bay Area, although the person's role in the shooting was unclear.
The 6-year-old boy who died was identified as Steven Romero by members of his family.
"My son had his whole life to live and he was only 6," his father Alberto Romero told NBC Bay Area. "That's all I can say."
Late Sunday, officials said 15 people were injured in the shooting. They later clarified to say 12 people were hurt.
"This is a tragic incident for our community," Gilroy Mayor Roland Velasco said. "On behalf of the city and the Gilroy City Council our thoughts and prayers go out the victims and families."
Police and emergency personnel responded to reports of an active shooter incident at Gilroy's Christmas Hill Park at around 5:40 p.m. PT, Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee said. Officers engaged the suspect and killed him within a minute.
Witnesses reported seeing a second gunman, and as of early Monday morning the scene was still active, with multiple agencies searching for the outstanding suspect, according to Gilroy police.
Officials are expected to hold another press conference at 10 a.m. Monday.
Officials with Santa Clara Valley Medical Center said they received five victims from the shooting, including two major trauma victims from St. Louise Hospital in Gilroy.
St. Louise initially received six gunshot wound victims, and of the four that remained there, one died, a hospital spokesperson said.
An official with Regional Medical Center in San Jose said the hospital received four victims, one of whom was in critical condition.
One witness told NBC Bay Area he was on his way out of the festival when he felt a bullet pass by his head, and when he turned around, he saw everyone running.
Another witness said some people were stranded at nearby Las Animas Elementary School.
San Jose police and fire units responded to the scene to assist, according to a tweet from Mayor Sam Liccardo. Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies also were on scene, along with California Highway Patrol units.
For those searching for loved ones, a reunification center was set up at nearby Gavilan College in parking lot B, according to Gilroy police.
President Donald Trump, Gov. Gavin Newsom and other political leaders reacted to the shooting on social media late Sunday.
Attorney General William Barr was also briefed on the shooting, and the Justice Department is providing resources and monitoring the situation, a department spokesperson said early Monday.
The festival, now in its 41st year, is a local tradition that attracts thousands annually. It was wrapping up its third and final day when reports of the shooting came in.
NBC Bay Area's Laura Garcia, Marianne Favro, Robert Handa and Janelle Wang contributed to this report.
Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area
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