Published 19:08 IST, August 30th 2019
Additional victim identified in Gilroy Garlic Festival mass shooting
After a month of the mass shooting incident, an additional 58-year old victim has been identified with a gunshot wound in Gilroy Garlic Festival on July 28.
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After a month of Gilroy Garlic Festival mass shooting incident, an additional victim has been identified with a gunshot wound. The Gilroy police informed that the 58-year old man had contacted them earlier this week. The man narrowly escaped a serious injury during the shooting that took place on July 28. The identification of this victim brings the total number of people shot at the incident to 20. Three more people have been identified, including two children who were shot and killed during the shooting.
An additional gunshot victim from the Garlic Festival incident was identified. The adult male victim sustained a grazing wound to his head that required stitches. This brings the total number of people struck by gunfire to 20, which includes the 3 victims who lost their lives.
— Gilroy Police (@GilroyPD) August 29, 2019
The Gilroy Police Department informed that the man was standing just to the side of the shooter, and even the slightest movement could have taken his life. The wound suffered by the 58-year-old man was steep and required stitches.
19-year old opens fire
Santino William Legan, a 19-year old, opened fire during the 41st annual gathering of the festival on July 28. He used a Romanian-made WASR-10 semi-automatic rifle, shooting more than 30 rounds. The officials believe that he acted alone. Legan entered the festival by cutting through a wire fence and escaping security screening. The gunman had a clown mask, passport, wilderness survival guide and bottle rockets in his car. Authorities also informed that Legan carried a pamphlet of festival in his car, Honda Accord.
Case of domestic terrorism
The FBI has opened a domestic terrorism case and is continuing to investigate. The authorities are yet to identify the motive behind the mass shooting, though they found a "target list" containing religious institutions, courthouses, and other sites. Along with the things in his car, authorities also found an AR-15 assault rifle and three high-capacity magazines the master bedroom of Legan's family home in Gilroy, California. The family of the suspect were “deeply shocked and horrified” by Legan's actions.
Joseph Deras, Gilroy Police Captain informed that the authorities are still checking the evidence and going through video footage collected by police body cameras and witness statements. The officials also believe that all gunshot wound victims have now been identified. However, the venue of the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which is Christmas Hill Park has still not been re-opened for the public.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this process. The City will be issuing an update in the near future announcing when the park will be open to the public. (2/2)
— Gilroy Police (@GilroyPD) August 8, 2019
(With inputs from AP)
14:03 IST, August 30th 2019