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Three people were killed and 15 others wounded after at least one gunman opened fire Sunday evening during the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Northern California, authorities said. A suspect was also killed in the shooting that sent hundreds of panicked people scrambling for safety.

The deceased victims included 6-year-old Stephen Luciano Romero of San Jose, authorities said. The conditions of the wounded ranged from critical to fair.

Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee told reporters in a late-night briefing that Gilroy officers engaged a suspect within a minute of shots ringing out and killed him. CBS News has learned he has been identified as Santino William Legan, 19.

Smithee said witnesses told authorities at least one other person may have been involved in the shooting but there was no confirmation of that or the role he or she might have played. He said a manhunt was underway for the possible accomplice.

Federal law enforcement sources told CBS News the FBI was among numerous law enforcement agencies at the scene assisting Gilroy police, who were leading the investigation.

Smithee said the suspect or suspects appeared to have cut through a wire fence at a creek bordering the festival grounds to bypass heavy security to gain access.

There was no early word on a possible motive. Witnesses told CBS News the gunman appeared to be firing at random. Some witnesses said he suddenly appeared from behind a stage before beginning to shoot.

"It's just incredibly sad and disheartening that an event that does so much good for our community has to suffer from a tragedy like this," Smithee added.

The shooting happened on the last day of the annual three-day festival. It features food, cooking competitions and music and attracts more than 100,000 people, The Associated Press notes.

Gilroy, a city of 50,000 some 80 miles southeast of San Francisco, is known as "The Garlic Capital of the World."

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He called the attacker "a wicked murderer" and vowed that the US would grieve for the families of victims and "ask that God comfort them".

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“I watched him walk up, he raised his gun and started spraying rounds all around,” Walace said. “He was walking like he wanted to get stuff done. It was horrifying. He was ready to do some damage.”

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He was carrying an assault-type rifle.

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Originally posted by Cindysphinx:
Thoughts and prayers.

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In the hours before Santino William Legan is alleged to have begun firing into a crowd at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, police say the 19-year-old posted a photo on Instagram with the caption, “Ayyy garlic festival time come get wasted on overpriced ...,” using an expletive.

He also posted a photo of a Smokey Bear sign warning about fire danger with a caption instructing people to read the novel “Might Is Right” by Ragnar Redbeard, authorities said.

The book, published in 1890, includes discredited principles related to Social Darwinism that have been used to justify racism, slavery and colonialism, said Brian Levin, director of Cal State San Bernardino’s Center on Hate and Extremism.

“The notion that people of color are biologically inferior is a key tenet of this book, and that biological determinism, the Darwinian view of the world, justifies aggression against diverse people and vulnerable people,” Levin said.

Legan was identified by police Monday as the shooter who opened fire at the crowded Gilroy Garlic Festival on Sunday, killing three and wounding 12 others. Officers who were patrolling the park during the event shot and killed Legan after the rampage.

Smithee said the gunman was able to circumvent the festival’s security by entering from a creek area and cutting through a fence.

The AK-47 that was used in the attack was purchased legally in Nevada on July 9. Legan was originally from Gilroy, but spent some time in Nevada living with family, according to Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee.

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Chantell Grant and Andrea Stoudemire were volunteers for Mothers Against Senseless Killings and had been camped out at the corner to prevent conflict.

They were shot on Friday evening by the occupants of a blue SUV. No arrests have yet been made.

Supporters say they are shocked by the killing and will honour their memories.

"It is sacred ground, as far as we're concerned," said Mothers Against Senseless Killings (Mask) member Maria Pike, referring to the South Side Chicago street corner policed by the fallen mums.

"This was a haven that was built by moms," she told ABC 7 in Chicago. "The lack of humanity is shocking," she added.