Three dead, 15 injured as gunman opens fire at California food festival

Witnesses describe the man "shooting in every direction" after entering the garlic festival in the city of Gilroy.

Crowds flee the scene at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, California. Pics: @wavyia

Three people have been killed and 15 injured after a gunman opened fired at a food festival in California.
Witnesses described the man "shooting in every direction" after entering the garlic festival in the city of Gilroy at 5.41pm local time (1.41am UK time).
He killed three people before being shot dead by police in attendance within a minute.

Image: People run as shots were fired. Pic: @wavyia

Chief of Police Scot Smithee said the gunman, and a suspected second gunman or supporter, came into the festival via a creek which borders a parking area.
He said it was thought they used "some sort of a tool to cut through the fence".

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Mr Smithee confirmed it was still an active scene.

"There were reports of a shooting on the north side of the garlic festival area," he said. "Officers were in that area and engaged that suspect in less than a minute. The suspect was shot and killed."

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Witness Julissa Contreras told reporters she saw the gunman firing a rifle that was "able to shoot three to four shots a second".
"It was just rapid firing," she said.
"I could see him shooting in just every direction. He wasn't aiming at anyone specifically. It was just left to right, right to left. He definitely was prepared for what he was doing."

Image: Security forces were deployed to the festival, at which 4,000 people work or volunteer

Image: Police at the site of the shooting

A number of videos posted to social media showed people running away from the event. Gunshots could be heard in the background of some of the clips.
In one of the videos a woman can be heard asking: "Who would shoot up a garlic festival?"
A 13-year-old girl told San Jose Mercury News she had initially thought the noise had been fireworks, but saw a man that had a bandana tied around his leg wound.
President Donald Trump tweeted: "Law Enforcement is at the scene of shootings in Gilroy, California. Reports are that shooter has not yet been apprehended. Be careful and safe!"
The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, tweeted: "This is nothing short of horrific. Tonight, CA stands with the Gilroy community. My office is monitoring the situation closely. Grateful for the law enforcement's efforts and their continued work as this situation develops."
One of the largest food festivals in the US, the Gilroy Garlic Festival is an annual three-day event south of San Jose at the outdoor Christmas Hill Park.
The event's website says weapons of any kind are prohibited and that 4,000 people work and volunteer at the festival.