Gilroy Councilmember Cited In Connection With Halloween Party Shooting

GILROY, CA — An independent investigation found that Gilroy Councilmember Rebeca Armendariz violated the city’s host ordinance when she hosted a Halloween party last October where one person was killed and three others injured in a shooting.

Armendariz was issued 10 citations by the city in connection with the violations, while three others received four citations each, according to the report released Monday.

On Oct. 30 around 12:55 a.m., police received a 911 call of a shooting on the 400 block of Los Animas Avenue in Gilroy. After arriving at the large outdoor party, officers learned that an altercation had escalated into a shooting at the gathering.

An investigation commissioned by the city found that Armendariz also violated the city’s Special Event Permits Requirement and her conduct involved the unauthorized use of the city’s assets. Armendariz, along with her son and nephew, organized and planned the event, the investigation found.

The party involved underage drinking and public drunkenness, according to the report.

Related: Victim Killed In Gilroy Halloween Party Shooting Identified

Armendariz did not immediately respond Monday to a request for comment.

Gilroy’s Social Accountability Host Ordinance is intended to reduce underage drinking and establishes penalties for “persons who actively or passively aid, abet or allow loud or unruly gatherings.”

The criminal investigation into the shooting is ongoing. A 19-year-old man was arrested shortly after the shooting, but was not charged.

Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley sharply criticized Armendariz in a statement Monday, but said that “only the voters have the power” to remove Armandariz from office.

“Indeed, it has been heart-wrenching for the City Council to hear pleas at council meetings from the public and from the family of the decedent for action towards another councilmember on a matter with which we have no involvement, connection or authority to act,” Blankley said. “The City of Gilroy shares no responsibility or association with the personal and private acts of a councilmember that are not in any way connected to their councilmember capacity.”

The investigation cost the city $47,000 to commission and hundreds of staff hours, according to Blankley. Two tort claims have also been filed against the city.

“The City has no duty to defend Rebeca Armendariz herself,” Blankley said. “Instead, our duty in this matter is to protect the people of Gilroy from claims without merit or connection to the City, to enforce our municipal ordinances, and to seek evidence and testimony that will lead to full prosecution of the perpetrators of the shootings.”