Half Moon Bay Farms Where Shooter Killed 7 Fined By Regulators

HALF MOON BAY, CA — Cal/OSHA this week announced more than $160,000 in proposed fines for two Half Moon Bay farms, citing dozens of workplace safety violations where a mass shooter killed seven people in January.

Chunli Zhao, 66, had worked for both companies and is accused of killing four employees and injuring a fifth at California Terra Garden before fatally shooting three workers at Concord Farms.

In a news release, officials said an investigation found 22 violations at California Terra Garden, including several classified as serious, and one directly related to not having procedures in place for immediately notifying workers of an active shooter situation and where to seek shelter.

Concord Farms received 19 citations, including three labeled serious. Officials said the violations included a failure to address earlier incidents of workplace violence and develop necessary procedures. Cal/OSHA said both employers failed to create workplace safety plans or properly train workers and did not secure the proper permits for onsite housing.

The proposed fines total $113,800 for California Terra Garden and $51,770 in penalties for Concord Farms.

According to The Mercury News, Half Moon Bay Vice Mayor Joaquin Jimenez said the fines were just one step toward holding both farms accountable and ensuring such violations do not happen again. In a statement, San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller said he was grateful for the Cal/OSHA investigation and pledged to continue work to improve conditions for farm workers across the county.

Related: SMC Secures $5M To Build Housing For Farmworkers