Content warning: This article contains information and graphic imagery pertaining to firearm issues and violence.

Three people have been killed, and at least another 15 injured, in the latest incident of firearm violence in America today.

The shooting, which sent panicked festival punters into a frenzy, at the popular food festival in California, has seen three punters dead, as well as the shooter himself.

Cutting through a fence to avoid highly tight security, including metal detectors and extensive searches, the alleged shooter was armed with a rifle.

The festival, dubbed the Gilroy Garlic Festival, sees over 100,000 attendees from all over come together to celebrate their beloved garlic. Offerings of garlic flavoured everything are made available to festival-goers.

Festival performers Tin Man were performing as the attack went down, and heard dialogue between the shooter and a punter. When asked why he was shooting patrons, he reportedly responded “Because I’m angry”.

Jack van Breen, the singer of  Tin Man, told Associated Press he saw a man wearing a green shirt and grayish handkerchief around his neck fire into the food area with what looked like an assault rifle.

As the attack occurred, punters were supposedly throwing tables and cutting fences to try break away from the madness.

13-year-old punter Evenny Rays told the San Jose Mercury News of her experience. “We were just leaving and we saw a guy with a bandana wrapped around his leg because he got shot,” she explains.

The young festival-goer continues, “There was a little kid hurt on the ground. People were throwing tables and cutting fences to get out.”

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine