Illinois Rep Was At Deadly California Shooting

GILROY, CA — Illinois Congressman Dan Lipinski, who was at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California Sunday when a deadly shooting took place at the event, is unharmed, he said in a statement.

"My wife Judy and I were at the Gilroy Garlic Festival during the shooting" around 5:40 p.m. Sunday. "The shooter was not far from us," he said, adding he heard loud "pops" of gunfire "which seemed to get closer as we ran."

Three people, including a 6-year-old boy, were killed in the shooting. Twelve more were injured.

"The level of gun violence in our nation is sickening," Lipinski said in the statement.

Lipinski praised law enforcement, saying without them, "[t]he tragedy would have been far worse if not for their quick action." He also lauded the festival staff for their work in the aftermath of the deadly shooting.

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"Judy and I are okay. Thank God. We pray for those killed and injured, and for their families," Lipinski said.

In reference to the nation's level of gun violence, Lipinski said "[i]t is an issue we must deal with not only legislatively, but spiritually and socially."