A 19-year-old was identified Monday as the suspected gunman in a shooting that left at least three people dead, including a 6-year-old boy, and more than a dozen others injured at a California festival Sunday.
The shooter was identified as Santino William Legan, law enforcement officials told ABC News. He was killed after firing at the popular Gilroy Garlic Festival just before 6 p.m.
Gilroy is about 80 miles southeast of San Francisco.
Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee told the Los Angeles Times Legan was able to circumvent the festival’s security by entering from a creek area and cutting through a fence.
Officers, who searched a house linked to Legan at the end of a suburban cul de sac in Gilroy, came out of the house carrying several paper bags and told reporters they are still trying to determine a motive for the attack.
An official also told the Los Angeles Times officers were combing Legan’s social media accounts for indications of his belief system and opinions.
It’s unclear whether he was targeting specific people or shooting randomly.
Stephen Romero, 6, is one of the three victims killed in the shooting, ABC reported after interviewing the child’s grandmother.
“It has to be someone really sick. Because shooting a kid… it’s a family event,” Maribel Romero told the news station. “I just hope there is justice and they catch the last person or the other person and that there’s justice. I want justice for my grandson.”
President Donald Trump made a statement about the shooting Monday morning at a news conference announcing his plans to sign a 9/11 victim compensation bill.
“Before I go further this morning, we express our deepest sadness and sorrow for the families who lost a precious loved one in the horrific shooting last night in Gilroy, California,” Trump said. “While families were spending time together at a local festival, a wicked murderer opened fire and killed three innocent citizens, including a young child.”
“We grieve for their families, and we ask that God will comfort them with his overflowing mercy and grace,” Trump said. “We’re praying for those who are recovering right now in the hospital, some very very serious injuries.”
Trump also thanked law enforcement members “who swiftly killed the shooter” in the incident.
“They never let us down,” he said.
“We reaffirm our national will to answer violence with the courage, determination and resolve of one American family. We will continue to work together as communities and as citizens to stop evil, prevent violence and protect the safety of all Americans,” Trump added.
