Suspect in Gilroy Garlic Festival Shooting Is Identified, Report Says

Suspect in Gilroy Garlic Festival Shooting Is Identified, Report Says
Edward Jacobucci, an evacuee, leaves the scene of the deadly Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting in Gilroy, California on July 28, 2019. Philip Pacheco/AFP/Getty Images
Jack Phillips
Updated:

The suspect who allegedly shot and killed three people, including a 6-year-old boy, at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California was identified in news reports.

Santino William Legan, 19, was identified as the suspect, CBS News reported on July 29. Police recovered his backpack, ammunition, and a rifle, KPIX reported, adding that his home was also searched.
This screenshot of Santino William Legan's Instagram account shows a selfie of Legan, who opened fire with an "assault-type rifle" at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, Calif., killing two children and another man, on July 28, 2019. (Instagram via AP)
This screenshot of Santino William Legan's Instagram account shows a selfie of Legan, who opened fire with an "assault-type rifle" at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, Calif., killing two children and another man, on July 28, 2019. Instagram via AP

Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee said that Gilroy officers engaged the suspect within minutes of shots being fired before killing him, it was reported.

The chief said that officials have learned that at least one other person might have been involved, CBS reported.

Emergency personnel work at the scene of a mass shooting during the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, Calif., on July 28, 2019. (Reuters/Chris Smead)
Emergency personnel work at the scene of a mass shooting during the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, Calif., on July 28, 2019. Reuters/Chris Smead
SFGate reported that during the assault, the band TinMan was playing when the shooting unfolded.

Singer Jack van Breen said he saw a man with a green shirt and handkerchief around his neck fire into the food area.

Van Breen, of Santa Clara, said he heard someone shout: “Why are you doing this?” The suspect then allegedly replied: “Because I’m really angry.”

People run as an active shooter was reported at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, south of San Jose, Calif., on July 28, 2019 in this still image taken from a social media video. (Courtesy of Twitter @wavyia via Reuters)
People run as an active shooter was reported at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, south of San Jose, Calif., on July 28, 2019 in this still image taken from a social media video. Courtesy of Twitter @wavyia via Reuters
People run as an active shooter was reported at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, south of San Jose, Calif., on July 28, 2019 in this still image taken from a social media video. (Twitter @wavyia/Social Media via Reuters)
People run as an active shooter was reported at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, south of San Jose, Calif., on July 28, 2019 in this still image taken from a social media video. Twitter @wavyia/Social Media via Reuters

Chaos ensued, with people screaming and running, he added.

Officials said a suspect cut through a fence to gain access to the festival, according to SFGate. Then, he used a rifle and shot three people to death and injured at least 15.

Smithee said that festival attendees had to go through security checkpoints and metal detectors to enter the venue.

People leave the Gilroy Garlic Festival following a shooting in Gilroy, Calif., on Sunday, July 28, 2019. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
People leave the Gilroy Garlic Festival following a shooting in Gilroy, Calif., on Sunday, July 28, 2019. Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group

A 6-year-old boy was one among those killed, his father said. “My son had his whole life to live and he was only 6,” Alberto Romero, the father of Stephen Romero told NBC Bay Area. “That’s all I can say.”

The boy’s grandmother, Maribel Romero, told ABC7 News she searched several hospitals before learning he had died. She said he was “always kind, happy and, you know, playful.”

The Gilroy Garlic Festival features food, cooking contests, and music. It’s a decades-old staple in the agricultural city of 50,000 about 80 miles southeast of San Francisco.

A police officer dressed in SWAT gear speaks with fire crews brought in from neighboring communities at the first aid center at Gilroy High School after a shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, Calif. on July 28, 2019. (AP Photo/David Royal)
A police officer dressed in SWAT gear speaks with fire crews brought in from neighboring communities at the first aid center at Gilroy High School after a shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, Calif. on July 28, 2019. AP Photo/David Royal

In a tweet, California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the bloodshed “nothing short of horrific” and expressed appreciation for the police response. President Donald Trump tweeted before authorities confirmed the gunman was dead and urged people to “be careful and safe!”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Jack Phillips
Jack Phillips
Breaking News Reporter
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter who covers a range of topics, including politics, U.S., and health news. A father of two, Jack grew up in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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