Gilroy Garlic Festival Shooting
Mass Shooting at Festival
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Gilroy, California
TIME PERIOD
July 28, 2019
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
On July 28, 2019, a mass shooting occurred at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to 17 others before the perpetrator, 19-year-old Santino William Legan, took his own life during a confrontation with police. The shooting unfolded shortly before the festival's scheduled closing time at 6:00 p.m., with Legan gaining entry by cutting through a security fence and using a WASR-10 semi-automatic rifle equipped with a high-capacity magazine. As of 2020, the FBI had launched a domestic terrorism investigation into the incident, but the motive behind Legan's actions remained undetermined. The festival, a major community event, has since resumed operations following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigators have not determined a clear motive for the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting, leading to speculation about possible domestic terrorism connections. Some believe the perpetrator, Santino William Legan, may have been influenced by extremist ideologies, as he had posted concerning content on social media prior to the attack. Others theorize that personal grievances or mental health issues could have played a role in his actions.
The Gilroy Garlic Festival Shooting: A Day of Festivity Turned Tragic
A Day in Gilroy
On a warm summer evening on July 28, 2019, the Gilroy Garlic Festival was in full swing at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy, California. Known for its vibrant celebration of one of the region's most famous crops, the festival attracted between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors from across the nation. This year marked the 41st anniversary of the event, a three-day extravaganza filled with family-friendly activities and culinary delights, all aimed at raising funds for local nonprofits. As the clock neared 6:00 p.m. on the festival's final day, no one anticipated the horror that would soon unfold.
The Shooting
In the closing moments of this otherwise joyful festival, chaos erupted. Santino William Legan, a 19-year-old from Gilroy, breached the festival's perimeter by cutting through a wire fence with bolt cutters, evading the security screenings in place. Armed with a WASR-10 semi-automatic rifle, a Romanian variant of the AK-47, Legan unleashed terror upon the unsuspecting crowd. Wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a 75-round drum magazine along with five extra magazines, he fired 39 rounds indiscriminately near an inflatable slide, striking fear into the hearts of festival-goers.
Eyewitnesses described the shooter as a white man in a green shirt and a grayish handkerchief around his neck. The lead singer of a local band, TinMan, performing at the festival, recounted hearing Legan respond to a bystander's desperate question of "Why are you doing this?" with a chilling, "Because I'm really angry."
The Police Response
The Gilroy Police Department, along with 30 FBI agents and the San Francisco Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, swiftly responded to the scene. Officers engaged Legan in a shootout within a minute of his first shots, firing 18 rounds and striking him multiple times. Despite their efforts, the coroner later confirmed that Legan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, ending the siege he had orchestrated.
The Victims
The shooting claimed the lives of three innocent victims: Stephen Romero, just six years old; Keyla Salazar, 13; and Trevor Deon Irby, 25. Each succumbed to single gunshot wounds to their torsos. Seventeen others were wounded, with injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to other trauma. The victims were treated at local hospitals, including the Santa Clara County Healthcare System's facilities and Stanford Hospital.
Santino William Legan
Santino William Legan, born in September 1999, had spent most of his life in Gilroy. A graduate of Gilroy High School, he had recently been living in Walker Lake, Nevada. It was there, just three weeks before the festival, that he legally purchased the rifle used in the attack, a weapon banned in California but not in Nevada.
Days before the shooting, Legan opened an Instagram account, where he posted inflammatory messages on the day of the attack, expressing disdain for the festival attendees and recommending followers read "Might Is Right," a book associated with extremist ideologies. This digital footprint hinted at a brewing hatred, but his exact motive remained elusive.
Investigation and Motive
As investigators delved deeper into Legan's background, they uncovered a troubling array of evidence, including a Remington 870 shotgun found in his car and an unsettling collection of materials in his Nevada apartment. These included a bulletproof vest, gas mask, and empty ammunition boxes, alongside both left-wing and right-wing literature, as well as material on white supremacy and Islamic extremism.
Though a definitive motive was never established, the presence of a target list found among Legan's belongings prompted the FBI to launch a domestic terrorism probe. The list included potential targets such as religious organizations, courthouses, and political institutions, indicating that Legan had been exploring violent ideologies.
Community and National Reactions
The tragedy at the Gilroy Garlic Festival prompted an outpouring of grief and calls for action. President Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and other political figures offered condolences and praised the rapid response of law enforcement. Meanwhile, organizations like March for Our Lives and Moms Demand Action amplified calls for stricter gun control measures.
In the wake of the shooting, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors declared the National Rifle Association a domestic terrorist organization, citing its role in promoting gun violence. Additionally, local initiatives, such as a proposal from San Jose's Mayor Sam Liccardo to require gun owners to carry insurance, were put forth to curb future violence.
The Aftermath
In early 2020, the Gilroy Strong Resilience Center opened to provide support for survivors and the families affected by the devastating events of that July day. Though the festival was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it re-emerged in 2025, continuing its tradition as a cherished community event, albeit with a somber memory in its history.
Sources
For more detailed information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting at Festival
Santino William Legan opens fire at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, killing three and injuring 17 others before committing suicide.
Police Response
Police engage the shooter within a minute of the first shots, firing 18 rounds and hitting him several times.
Coroner's Report
Santa Clara County coroner reports that Legan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, contradicting initial police reports.
Domestic Terrorism Probe
FBI opens a domestic terrorism investigation into the shooting, prompted by Legan's target list and extremist writings.
Resilience Center Opens
The Gilroy Strong Resilience Center opens to support survivors of the mass shooting.
DA Report Released
Santa Clara County District Attorney's report states that police actions during the shooting were lawful and justified.
NRA Declared Terrorist Org
San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously declares the National Rifle Association a domestic terrorist organization.
Public Reactions
Public figures, including President Trump and California Governor Newsom, express condolences and call for action against gun violence.
On July 28, 2019, a mass shooting occurred at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to 17 others before the perpetrator, 19-year-old Santino William Legan, took his own life during a confrontation with police. The shooting unfolded shortly before the festival's scheduled closing time at 6:00 p.m., with Legan gaining entry by cutting through a security fence and using a WASR-10 semi-automatic rifle equipped with a high-capacity magazine. As of 2020, the FBI had launched a domestic terrorism investigation into the incident, but the motive behind Legan's actions remained undetermined. The festival, a major community event, has since resumed operations following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigators have not determined a clear motive for the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting, leading to speculation about possible domestic terrorism connections. Some believe the perpetrator, Santino William Legan, may have been influenced by extremist ideologies, as he had posted concerning content on social media prior to the attack. Others theorize that personal grievances or mental health issues could have played a role in his actions.
The Gilroy Garlic Festival Shooting: A Day of Festivity Turned Tragic
A Day in Gilroy
On a warm summer evening on July 28, 2019, the Gilroy Garlic Festival was in full swing at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy, California. Known for its vibrant celebration of one of the region's most famous crops, the festival attracted between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors from across the nation. This year marked the 41st anniversary of the event, a three-day extravaganza filled with family-friendly activities and culinary delights, all aimed at raising funds for local nonprofits. As the clock neared 6:00 p.m. on the festival's final day, no one anticipated the horror that would soon unfold.
The Shooting
In the closing moments of this otherwise joyful festival, chaos erupted. Santino William Legan, a 19-year-old from Gilroy, breached the festival's perimeter by cutting through a wire fence with bolt cutters, evading the security screenings in place. Armed with a WASR-10 semi-automatic rifle, a Romanian variant of the AK-47, Legan unleashed terror upon the unsuspecting crowd. Wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a 75-round drum magazine along with five extra magazines, he fired 39 rounds indiscriminately near an inflatable slide, striking fear into the hearts of festival-goers.
Eyewitnesses described the shooter as a white man in a green shirt and a grayish handkerchief around his neck. The lead singer of a local band, TinMan, performing at the festival, recounted hearing Legan respond to a bystander's desperate question of "Why are you doing this?" with a chilling, "Because I'm really angry."
The Police Response
The Gilroy Police Department, along with 30 FBI agents and the San Francisco Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, swiftly responded to the scene. Officers engaged Legan in a shootout within a minute of his first shots, firing 18 rounds and striking him multiple times. Despite their efforts, the coroner later confirmed that Legan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, ending the siege he had orchestrated.
The Victims
The shooting claimed the lives of three innocent victims: Stephen Romero, just six years old; Keyla Salazar, 13; and Trevor Deon Irby, 25. Each succumbed to single gunshot wounds to their torsos. Seventeen others were wounded, with injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to other trauma. The victims were treated at local hospitals, including the Santa Clara County Healthcare System's facilities and Stanford Hospital.
Santino William Legan
Santino William Legan, born in September 1999, had spent most of his life in Gilroy. A graduate of Gilroy High School, he had recently been living in Walker Lake, Nevada. It was there, just three weeks before the festival, that he legally purchased the rifle used in the attack, a weapon banned in California but not in Nevada.
Days before the shooting, Legan opened an Instagram account, where he posted inflammatory messages on the day of the attack, expressing disdain for the festival attendees and recommending followers read "Might Is Right," a book associated with extremist ideologies. This digital footprint hinted at a brewing hatred, but his exact motive remained elusive.
Investigation and Motive
As investigators delved deeper into Legan's background, they uncovered a troubling array of evidence, including a Remington 870 shotgun found in his car and an unsettling collection of materials in his Nevada apartment. These included a bulletproof vest, gas mask, and empty ammunition boxes, alongside both left-wing and right-wing literature, as well as material on white supremacy and Islamic extremism.
Though a definitive motive was never established, the presence of a target list found among Legan's belongings prompted the FBI to launch a domestic terrorism probe. The list included potential targets such as religious organizations, courthouses, and political institutions, indicating that Legan had been exploring violent ideologies.
Community and National Reactions
The tragedy at the Gilroy Garlic Festival prompted an outpouring of grief and calls for action. President Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and other political figures offered condolences and praised the rapid response of law enforcement. Meanwhile, organizations like March for Our Lives and Moms Demand Action amplified calls for stricter gun control measures.
In the wake of the shooting, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors declared the National Rifle Association a domestic terrorist organization, citing its role in promoting gun violence. Additionally, local initiatives, such as a proposal from San Jose's Mayor Sam Liccardo to require gun owners to carry insurance, were put forth to curb future violence.
The Aftermath
In early 2020, the Gilroy Strong Resilience Center opened to provide support for survivors and the families affected by the devastating events of that July day. Though the festival was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it re-emerged in 2025, continuing its tradition as a cherished community event, albeit with a somber memory in its history.
Sources
For more detailed information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting at Festival
Santino William Legan opens fire at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, killing three and injuring 17 others before committing suicide.
Police Response
Police engage the shooter within a minute of the first shots, firing 18 rounds and hitting him several times.
Coroner's Report
Santa Clara County coroner reports that Legan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, contradicting initial police reports.
Domestic Terrorism Probe
FBI opens a domestic terrorism investigation into the shooting, prompted by Legan's target list and extremist writings.
Resilience Center Opens
The Gilroy Strong Resilience Center opens to support survivors of the mass shooting.
DA Report Released
Santa Clara County District Attorney's report states that police actions during the shooting were lawful and justified.
NRA Declared Terrorist Org
San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously declares the National Rifle Association a domestic terrorist organization.
Public Reactions
Public figures, including President Trump and California Governor Newsom, express condolences and call for action against gun violence.