California: Gunman opens fire at food festival, three killed
What's the story
In yet another incident which shows that United States needs stricter gun laws, a man opened fire at a food festival in northern California killing three and injuring at least 12. The gunman was shot dead by police, said reports.
Sunday was the last day of the garlic festival, which is held annually in Gilroy (a town close to San Jose).
Here's what happened.
Event
Every year visitors gather to celebrate the town's garlic history
The three-day Gilroy Garlic Festival, which celebrates the town's garlic history, was founded in 1979 and invites thousands of visitors every year.
Before the shooting happened, the mood was celebratory as people danced and some chose to relax under a tree. The festival features garlic-inspired dishes, food stalls, live entertainment, and cooking competitions.
Evidently, the firearms were not allowed at the venue.
What happened
Suspect cut perimeter fence to enter the festival: Police
About the shooting, Gilroy Chief of Police Scot Smithee said the gunman entered the park, where the festival was being hosted, by cutting through a perimeter fence with a tool.
He said eyewitnesses spoke about a second suspect too, who apparently helped the main one.
Further, he added officers were already present at the site and responded within a minute.
Account
Initially, attendees couldn't believe festival was under attack
Initially, the attendees thought the gunshots were fireworks. An eyewitness, Robert Villareal, told CNN, "Then I heard a second and I turned around where the noise came from. As I saw three girls crying and yelling, 'There's shooting,' as more shots were going off, my family yelled my name."
Villareal said he didn't see the shooter but heard women screaming and saw people running.
Twitter Post
Here are the visuals from the spot
#BREAKING: Gilroy police have confirmed an active shooter at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. We are working to provide you more details on this breaking news, stay tuned.
— KSBW Action News 8 (@ksbw) July 29, 2019
[Warning: Video has profanity. Courtesy @wavyia]#breaking #breakingnews #gilroy #gilroygarlicfestival pic.twitter.com/Bq44nIf1Ey
Details
Apparently, gunman said he was "really angry"
Separately, the singer of band Tin Man, Jack van Breen, told AP he saw a man wearing a green shirt firing at the food area.
Further, Breen narrated that when someone asked the gunman why he was doing this, he replied, "Because I'm really angry".
Meanwhile, the executive director of the festival, Brian Bowe, said the event was supposed to be "family reunion".
Quote
The shooting upset festival's organizers
"For over four decades the festival has been our annual family reunion. And it is such a sad, just horribly upsetting circumstance that this happened on the third and final day of the festival," Bowe said in a press conference.
Reactions
This is horrific, said California's Governor; Trump tweeted too
Reacting on the incident, Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, said his office is continuously monitoring the situation.
"This is nothing short of horrific. Tonight, CA stands with the Gilroy community. Grateful for the law enforcement's efforts and their work as this situation develops," he tweeted.
Separately, President Donald Trump, who is criticized for laxity over gun laws, urged everyone to stay safe.
Twitter Post
Be careful and safe: Trump
Law Enforcement is at the scene of shootings in Gilroy, California. Reports are that shooter has not yet been apprehended. Be careful and safe!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2019