Candlelight Vigil Brings Gilroy Together

GILROY, CA — In the coming days, Gilroy pioneer Patti Perino may find herself gravitating toward the historic Miller Red Barn built in 1891 as symbol of timeless strength, peace and "a place of comfort" amid heartfelt tears and questions of "why."

But for now, she and her husband Richard chose to stay away from the Christmas Hill Park area, the site of Sunday's gruesome attack in the remaining minutes of the 41-year, celebratory Garlic Festival. The grounds are situated adjacent to the barn built in 1891 that she and other foundation members have worked so hard to save. The granddaughter of a blacksmith holds "a deep infinity" for them as something to fight to maintain.

Perhaps, the same thing could be said for a community's innocence in the wake of another senseless tragedy.

Instead, Perino chose to stand "Gilroy Strong" with about 2,000 other members of her community gathered Thursday night to honor the victims of the festival tragedy and to heal.

The estimated $3,000 in proceeds from a special Italian dinner the foundation planned this weekend as a key "Save the Barn" fundraiser now has a different purpose. The funds will join the more than $200,000 the Gilroy Garlic Festival Relief Fund has tallied to help the victims of the shooting. The foundation may start the dinner with a moment of silence for the victims.

"Gilroy is a very close-knit community. Yes, we have our differences. But we try to take care of each other," Perino told Patch.

As a longtime community member who shares a penchant for civic involvement, Perino admitted it hurts to discover the 19-year-old gunman from a well-connected family cut the fence to sneak into the beloved festival armed with an assault rifle to injure 16 people and kill three young South Bay residents: 6-year-old Stephen Romero; 13-year-old Keyla Salazar (both of San Jose); and 25-year-old Trevor Irby of Santa Cruz.

Where was the civic pride the community is now demonstrating?

"I wonder what the tipping point was. What was he so angry about? What's frustrating at this point is the FBI and police still don't have a motive," Perino said, while her voice was cracking.

The authorities are still combing through the evidence that includes postings on social media — some with extremist views.

But would that tip someone over into the deep end — even if the suspect was described as a loner?

Perino recalled how the Monday after the tragedy hardly no one was out when she and Richard ran errands. The city resembled a ghost town.

"There were almost no cars. It was like everyone was in such shock," the 24-year festival volunteer said.

It was a much different scene on Thursday night in downtown Gilroy.

So to see thousands turn out in great force wearing "Gilroy Strong" T-shirts was "encouraging and heartwarming," especially with Gilroy Chamber of Commerce President Mark Turner and Mayor Roland Velasco reminding the crowd of their resilience in good and bad times.

Perino, who was crying at times, said seeing the Irby and Salazar families sitting near the front of the stage "brought tears" in overwhelming altruistic pain.

And like during the Garlic Festival, the police presence was hefty at the candlelight vigil.

"I can tell you people were aware we were there," Gilroy police Capt. Joseph Deras told Patch.

Officers often have concerns a copycat shooter may show up to "get headlines," Deras pointed out.

And people were also aware of Gilroy's new mantra that other cities have tragically identified with: "Gilroy Strong," with T-shirts declaring so all through the crowd.

Longtime resident Sheila Smith bought a white T-shirt with a purple garlic on it because the black T-shirts were gobbled up.

"Overall, the whole thing was very, very nice, very pro Gilroy, very much encouraging for our community. I felt encouraged by the gathering," Smith said, adding how she noticed a heavy police presence.

Smith's son was one in 4,000 volunteers who donate their time.

Smith talked to a lot of people sharing varying opinions. One woman mentioned pride as her overall emotion.

"I don't think you can be a Gilroy resident and not be touched by this," Gilroy Unified School District spokeswoman Melanie Corona told Patch.

Corona recognizes the students in her district may be scared, especially given that her son's girlfriend was at the festival during the shooting, ran into the woods and "wouldn't come out" out of fear distinguishing the good guys from the bad ones. The district has already approved increased counseling when school is back in session Aug. 14.

In partnership with the Gilroy Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation has established a charitable fund to provide relief to victims of the shooting. SVCF contributed $10,000 in seed money to the fund.

Ironically, the Garlic Festival that brings out at least 80,000 people for the weekend donates $11.7 million to community schools and nonprofit organizations.

See also

• Gilroy Garlic Festival Shooting: 3 Victims, Suspect Identified
• Candlelight Vigil Pays Homage To Victims Of Gilroy Shooting
• Gilroy Garlic Festival Vendor Decompressing From Loss
• Duo Injured In Gilroy Festival Shooting 'Happy To Be Alive'
• 3 Heroic Gilroy Officers Who Took Down Suspect Identified