The family of gunman Santino Legan has released a statement more than a week after he killed three people at the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
On Tuesday, the family said:
"Our family is deeply shocked and horrified by the actions of our son. To the families of Stephen Romero, Keyla Salazar, Trevor Irby, and to the injured that survived this tragedy, we cannot begin to describe our despair at his actions. We want to express our deepest and sincerest apologies for the loss and pain that he has caused.
"We have never and would never condone the hateful thoughts and ideologies that led to this event and it is impossible to reconcile this with the son we thought we knew. Our son is gone, and we will forever have unanswered questions as to how or why any of this has happened.
"We are heartbroken that he committed this violence in his hometown, at a family event meant to celebrate the tight-knit community we have been a part of for twenty years.
"Every single member of our family has cooperated with the investigation and will continue to cooperate.
"We also want to thank all of our friends in the community and people we have never met, who have sent us messages of support and compassion for what has occurred. Thanks to all of you.
"To the City of Gilroy and to everyone affected, we are tremendously sorry. No words can begin to express this."
Earlier, the FBI said it had discovered a "target list" compiled by the 19-year-old that listed nationwide religious institutions, federal buildings, courthouses and both major political parties.
The list has prompted the FBI to open a domestic terrorism investigation into the case in which gunman Legan shot and killed three people, including two children, on July 28 at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. The festival was also listed as a target.
John Bennett, the FBI's agent in charge in San Francisco, says authorities still have not determined a motive and Legan appeared to be interested in conflicting ideologies.
Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee says three police officers fired 18 rounds at Legan, striking him multiple times before he turned his Romanian-made AK-47-style rifle on himself. He also said that Legan fired 39 rounds.
Smithee says none of the victims who died were struck by the officers' fire.
Officials say Legan was wearing a bullet-resistant vest and had multiple magazines on his body and on the ground.
Authorities also say they found additional magazines, a rifle scope, flashlight and shovel in a bag found in a nearby creek.
The #FBI San Francisco Division has opened a domestic terrorism investigation into the #Gilroy Garlic Festival mass shooting.
— FBI SanFrancisco (@FBISanFrancisco) August 6, 2019
"To the families of Stephen, Keyla, and Trevor. We know that nothing we can say or do will ever bring back your loved ones. But we want you to know that everything that law enforcement is doing is being done with you in our minds." SAC John Bennett #GilroyStrong pic.twitter.com/DYfbimxyX2
— FBI SanFrancisco (@FBISanFrancisco) August 6, 2019
(KPIX contributed to this portion of the report.)
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AUGUST 2, 2019:
The Santa Clara County coroner's office says the gunman in the deadly Northern California festival shooting killed himself, a finding that contradicts earlier police account that officers fired the fatal shot.
Santino William Legan, 19, shot and killed three people - including two children - Sunday at the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
Nicole Lopez, a senior office specialist in the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office, says Friday that Legan's cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee had previously said Legan was shot and killed by three officers who responded in less than a minute. Smithee has called the officers "heroes" for preventing additional casualties by taking down the shooter. (AP)
ORIGINAL STORY:
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that investigators say they found several items at the Mineral County Home of suspected shooter Santino Legan.
The newspaper says investigators found a gas mask, bulletproof vest, empty ammo boxes, gun light and camouflage backpack where the shooting took place. The Chronicle also reports they found reading materials on radical Islam and white supremacy and according to one of his brothers the alleged shooter was a "loner."
Authorities say the AK-47 style rifle used in the shooting is illegal in California, but in Nevada it was legally purchased in Fallon.
It is illegal to cross the California state line with it.
The Mineral County District Attorney's Office says sheriff's deputies along with FBI agents searched the home in Walker Lake.
The DA's Office says the home is believed to have been used by suspect, 19-year-old Santino William Legan a few days before the shooting.
Mineral County Sheriff Randy Adams stated that “Mineral County Deputies supported FBI agents by obtaining a search warrant for a unit in a triplex located in at Walker Lake. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time.”
Police say they believe Legan acted alone when he opened fire at the food festival.
Investigators say the suspect was caught on surveillance video visiting several stores by himself ahead of Sunday's attack. Police say they found a shotgun was recovered from Legan's car.
And a newly released search warrant suggests he was preparing for a large-scale attack.
Police say they've already received numerous cell phone videos and photos of the shooting and are talking to victims to better understand how the shooter moved through the crowd.
Investigators say it could take up to five more days to finish processing evidence.
Earlier, Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee said during a press conference that Legan bought the gun legally in Nevada on July 9th. He said that Legan used a rifle SKS to kill six-year-old Stephen Romero, 13-year-old Keyla Salazar and a man in his 20s, recent Keuka College grad Trevor Irby.
Another 12 people were injured.
Legan's since-deleted Instagram account says he is Italian and Iranian. It also shows a photo he posted earlier depicting Smokey the Bear in front of a "fire danger" sign. In the caption, Legan said to read "Might is Right," a book published in the 1800s.
The misogynist and anti-Semitic work is used by neo-Nazis and white supremacists on extremist sites.
Minutes before the shooting, he posted a photo from the festival: "Ayyy garlic festival time" and "come get wasted on overpriced (stuff)."
Smithee says the motive remains unknown.
Governor Steve Sisolak released this statement:
"Our hearts are in mourning after hearing about the tragic loss of life, including a 6-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, and numerous injuries to attendees of the Garlic Festival in Gilroy, CA. Nevadans know first-hand the deep pain and suffering the Gilroy community is experiencing right now, and we want them to know we offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences. I also want to thank the first responders who quickly secured the scene and undoubtedly prevented even greater harm."
“Our office learned earlier today that the weapon used in the attack was purchased in Nevada. The Nevada Department of Public Safety has reached out to the Gilroy Police Department and federal law enforcement and will provide any assistance as needed.”
Big Mike's Guns and Ammo in Fallon released a Facebook post on Monday that said the shooter ordered a rifle from them online. They owner said in the post that he didn't know the individual and he was "acting happy and showed no reasons for concern."
The post goes on to state "I would never ever sell any firearm to anyone who acted wrong or looks associated with any bad group."
Big Mike's Guns and Ammo said in the post they are sorry for the families and are "heartbroken."
We spoke with the shop's owner on Tuesday. While he opted to not go on camera for an interview, he gave us permission to report live from outside his house, where he also runs the business.
Sharon Oren is the owner and CEO of Maccabee Arms in Reno. He says it is illegal for Californians to buy certain semi-automatic rifles, like the one used in Gilroy. Nevadans can legally buy these weapons, so Legan could have bought the gun with a Nevada driver's license. Oren says gun dealers have very strict regulations in Nevada, and the same process happens regardless of whether someone buys online or in a store.
"A lot of people accused Big Mike of murders and killings and I think that's horrible," Oren said. "I sent him a message last night, telling him 'Hey, be strong. Keeping you and your family in our prayers' because it's not his fault. He did everything he was supposed to do by the book."
19-year-old suspect for the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting legally purchased his "AK-47-type assault rifle" in Nevada on July 9 — less than three weeks before the shooting https://t.co/IJVIdstvog pic.twitter.com/EatPmGWDyi
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 29, 2019
Police chief says Gilroy Garlic Festival shooter was armed with an "assault-type rifle" and fired at cops. Officers who responded with handguns were "outgunned," but managed to fatally wound him https://t.co/IJVIdstvog pic.twitter.com/45rukehIAS
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 29, 2019
President Trump expresses condolences in aftermath of deadly shooting in Gilroy, CA: "We will continue to work together as communities and as citizens to stop evil, prevent violence and protect the safety of al Americans." https://t.co/Ax43BKl3yl pic.twitter.com/8CdkAV65Tc
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 29, 2019
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
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
