Four dead in California shooting, including suspected gunman

Reuters: Police and ambulances raced to a shooting at a food festival in California on Sunday (July 28), with four people reported dead and several injured, and video posted on social media showing people at the event running for cover as shots rang out. Police chief Scot Smithee said four people had been killed including the suspected gunman. Fifteen had been injured. Evenny Reyes, 13, told the San Jose Mercury News that at first, she thought the gunfire was fireworks. But then she saw someone with a wounded leg. Another witness, Maximo Rocha, a volunteer with the Gilroy Browns youth football team, said he saw many people on the ground, but could not be sure how many may have been shot and how many were trying to protect themselves. He told NBC Bay Area that "quite a few" were injured, "because I helped a few." Founded in 1979, the Gilroy Garlic Festival features food, drink, live entertainment, and cooking competitions. It says it is hosted by volunteers and describes itself as the world's greatest summer food festival. It was being held at the outdoor Christmas Hill Park, where weapons of any kind are prohibited, according to the event's website. To provide a safe, family-friendly atmosphere, it said, entry was refused to anyone wearing clothing or paraphernalia indicating membership in a gang, including a motorcycle club. Festival officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Gilroy is about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of San Jose.