Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Gilroy Festival Gunman Killed Himself, Coroner Says
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
August 2, 2019

Share

The gunman in the deadly Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting killed himself, according to a finding by the Santa Clara County coroner’s office that contradicts earlier police accounts that officers fired the fatal shot.
Santino William Legan, 19, shot and killed three people— including two children — Sunday at the festival. Thirteen others were wounded. Authorities have not been able to determine his motive.
Nicole Lopez, a senior office specialist in the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office, told The Associated Press on Friday that Legan’s cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police Chief Called Officers ‘Heroes’

Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee had previously said Legan was shot and killed by three officers who had responded in less than a minute. Smithee has called the officers “heroes” for preventing additional casualties by taking down the shooter.
Authorities arrested a man earlier this week on suspicion of making threats online that apparently referenced the deadly shooting.
Jose Pinon of Gilroy posted Wednesday on Facebook that “my goal is to kill 500, not three.”  Gilroy police Capt. Joseph Deras said officials did not seize any weapons from Pinon’s home Thursday and do not believe he was planning an attack.
Pinon, 40, is charged with making criminal threats, which is a felony, and violating a domestic violence-related restraining order, which is a misdemeanor, Deras said. He was in jail Friday on $30,000 bail.

Another Man Claimed Participation

A 22-year-old man, whom police did not identify, posted on Facebook soon after the shooting that he had participated — prompting a SWAT response to his Gilroy home.
The 22-year-old man was arrested on unrelated warrants but police did not charge him in connection with his Facebook post because authorities did not believe he had any “criminal intent,” Deras said.
Officials say their investigation has not shown that anyone else was involved.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

California Proposes Allowing Testing of Self-Driving Heavy-Duty Trucks

DON'T MISS

Higher Taxes on Millionaires? Trump Says He’s Open, but Many in His Party Are Not

DON'T MISS

Ex-US Rep. George Santos Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft

DON'T MISS

Selma Mayor Charged With Electioneering Violation on Election Day

DON'T MISS

Fresno Air Improves. Where Does It Rank in the US?

DON'T MISS

As Harris Ponders Run for CA Governor, Is She Prepared for the Daunting Job?

DON'T MISS

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

DON'T MISS

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

DON'T MISS

Driving Near the Fresno Airport Next Week? Plan for Road Closures

DON'T MISS

Misty Her: Push for Fresno Unified Turnaround Starts Now With ‘Boots on the Ground’

UP NEXT

On Major Economic Decisions, Trump Blinks, and Then Blinks Again

UP NEXT

Chicago Bears Great Steve McMichael Dies at 67 After Battle With ALS

UP NEXT

Long Wait Is Over for Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Other Draft Prospects Joining the NFL

UP NEXT

Golden State’s Jimmy Butler Injured in Game 2 Loss, His Status for Game 3 Unknown

UP NEXT

Jalen Green Makes Eight 3s to Help Rockets Even Series With Warriors

UP NEXT

US Justice Department Directs Investigations Over Gender-Affirming Care

UP NEXT

US Justice Department Cancels Hundreds of Grants for Police, Crime Victims

UP NEXT

Yelich’s 5th Career Slam and Bauers’ 2-Run Homer Power the Brewers to Win Over the Giants

UP NEXT

Happ Hits Game-Ending Single in the 10th as the Cubs Rally Past Dodgers

UP NEXT

Trump: No Plans to Fire Fed Chair Powell, but Wants Lower Rates

Selma Mayor Charged With Electioneering Violation on Election Day

31 minutes ago

Fresno Air Improves. Where Does It Rank in the US?

57 minutes ago

As Harris Ponders Run for CA Governor, Is She Prepared for the Daunting Job?

1 hour ago

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

2 hours ago

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

2 hours ago

Driving Near the Fresno Airport Next Week? Plan for Road Closures

2 hours ago

Misty Her: Push for Fresno Unified Turnaround Starts Now With ‘Boots on the Ground’

3 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest 17 in Domestic Violence Crackdown

3 hours ago

What’s Next for Fresno Smoke Shop Ordinance: Lawsuit, Veto, Override?

4 hours ago

Visalia Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2019 Fatal Stabbing

4 hours ago

California Proposes Allowing Testing of Self-Driving Heavy-Duty Trucks

LOS ANGELES — California regulators have released a new proposal to allow the testing of self-driving heavy duty trucks on public roads. The...

5 minutes ago

5 minutes ago

California Proposes Allowing Testing of Self-Driving Heavy-Duty Trucks

11 minutes ago

Higher Taxes on Millionaires? Trump Says He’s Open, but Many in His Party Are Not

14 minutes ago

Ex-US Rep. George Santos Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft

Selma Mayor Scott Robertson (left) has been charged with misdemeanor electioneering for allegedly campaigning near voters at a polling place during the November 2024 election. (Facebook)
31 minutes ago

Selma Mayor Charged With Electioneering Violation on Election Day

57 minutes ago

Fresno Air Improves. Where Does It Rank in the US?

1 hour ago

As Harris Ponders Run for CA Governor, Is She Prepared for the Daunting Job?

2 hours ago

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

A drone view shows containers at the terminals at the port in Kwai Chung in Hong Kong, China, April 3, 2025. (REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo)
2 hours ago

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend