San Jose, Calif., Jul 31, 2019 / 09:17 am
After a shooting at a food festival in California on Sunday in which the gunman killed three people and injured 15, the US bishops' representative for domestic justice called for legislation to prevent such losses.
Santino William Legan, 19, opened fire at a garlic festival in Gilroy, Calif., 30 miles southeast of San Jose, the evening of July 28. He was shot dead by police shortly after beginning to fire a rifle. Police have been investigating reports of a second suspect.
Bishop Oscar Cantú of San Jose said July 29 that "our hearts are heavy with sadness in the wake of the horrific shooting … I am grateful for the first responders and individual citizens whose quick thinking and professional actions saved countless lives."
"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, survivors and their families in this time of sorrow. May God, the source of our faith and strength, grant comfort and hope to all those affected by acts of violence. May grief give way to healing and grace, as we work together to protect the innocent and prevent future massacres, so that peace may prevail in our hearts and communities."