Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting: Steven Romero, six, killed in gun attack, distraught father says

Jacob Jarvis29 July 2019

A father has spoken of his loss after learning his son, six, was killed in a shooting at a food festival in California.

Steven Romero passed away at St Louise Hospital in Gilroy, where he was rushed to after shots were fired at the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

Three people were killed, including Steven.

The gunman was also killed.

Steven Romero, six, died after being rushed to hospital

Steven's father Alberto told NBC Bay Area: “I lost my son. There’s nothing I really can do besides try to be with him until I can put him in his resting spot, wherever that is.

“I don’t know what to say. My son had his whole life to live and he was only six.

“That’s all I can say.”

Father: Alberto Romero spoke after three members of his family were shot

He said: “Hopefully they get the shooters, basically that’s it right now.”

Mr Romero said he was at home with his nine-year-old daughter when the shooting happened.

His wife was shot in the hand twice, he said, and his mother-in-law was also injured.

Steven was described as a “happy boy”, according to NBC, and had celebrated his sixth birthday in June.

Three people were killed during the shooting while a suspected gunman was also shot dead by authorities, police said.

California: Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting - In pictures

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Another suspect was also reported by witnesses though it is unclear if they opened fire.

There were also 15 people injured, including some who were fighting for their lives.

The shooting occurred during Gilroy’s annual garlic festival, a three-day celebration featuring food, cooking competitions and music that attracts more than 100,000 people.

Police Chief Scot Smithee said witnesses reported a second suspect, though it was unclear whether that person opened fire.

He said one of the suspects opened fire with a rifle and was confronted by police officers in under a minute before being shot dead.

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