Suspected Garlic Festival Gunman's Family Issues Apology

GILROY, CA — The family of the suspected Gilroy Garlic Festival gunman that killed three people and injured more than a dozen more last month released a statement Tuesday expressing their horror at his actions and apologizing to the victims and the community.

Sent Monday morning by their attorney, the family of 19-year-old Santino William Legan said in the statement that they cannot begin to describe their despair at what Legan did.

"We have never and would never condone the hateful thoughts and ideologies that led to this event, and it is impossible to reconcile this with the son we thought we knew," they said. "Our son is gone, and we will forever have unanswered questions as to how or why any of this has happened."

Investigators said at a news conference earlier Tuesday that Legan did not leave behind any manifesto, but that his digital footprint and communications are still being investigated. Legan seemed to have had interest in several competing violent ideologies, but there is no conclusion as to what specific ideologies he was following, FBI Special Agent in Charge John Bennett said.

He also appeared to have several organizations and places that may have been potential targets. Besides the Gilroy Garlic Festival, other potential targets include religious-affiliated organizations, federal buildings, courthouses and political organizations from both major parties, according to Bennett.

The family said they have fully cooperated with the investigation into the shooting and that they will continue to do so.

Their statement ended by thanking those who have sent the family messages of support and compassion after the shooting and apologizing to the community they have been a part of for 20 years.

"To the City of Gilroy and to everyone affected, we are tremendously sorry," they said. "No words can begin to express this."

See also

• Gilroy Gunman Targeted Slew Of Groups In Domestic Terror: FBI

—Bay City News