Morgan Hill shooting: 1 killed, 6 wounded after gunfire erupts at unsanctioned party

MORGAN HILL, Calif. - One person was killed, and six others were injured in a shooting at an unsanctioned party in an open field Morgan Hill on Saturday night, authorities said.

Deputies arrive to chaotic scene

What we know:

Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies responded around 10:16 p.m. to the area of Hale Avenue near Miramonte Avenue after receiving reports of intoxicated people in the street and someone throwing bottles at passing vehicles, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies arrived to find a chaotic scene with more than 300 partygoers fleeing after multiple gunshots were fired. They found seven people suffering from gunshot wounds.

"Multiple people had been shot and required immediate medical attention," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "Several victims were taken to local hospitals, and one person was pronounced dead at the scene."

Deputies found seven people suffering from gunshot wounds.

"This tragic and senseless violence is entirely unacceptable. Our hearts go out to the victim's family, those recovering from their injuries and everyone in our community affected by this traumatic event," the sheriff's office said. "We will work tirelessly until those responsible for this horrific act are identified, apprehended, and held fully accountable."

Witnesses describe panic as gunfire erupted

Neighbors described a chaotic scene as hundreds of people fled the party.

"It was really stressful and really scary for us as kids because we just saw a bunch of teenagers running as if something massive was going on, which something was going on, a lot of cars rushing out," said Zoe Gonzalez, who lives nearby.

Jose, a San Jose teenager who attended the party, returned Sunday to retrieve his car after it was left inside the crime scene. He said he was standing just feet away from one of the victims when the shooting began.

"The guy who ended up getting shot ended up like 10, 15 feet away from me and I dropped to the ground and I look up and all I see is the guy on the ground. I hate to say this, but when they were trying to see if he was okay there was already blood gushing out of his mouth, so I kind of knew what the outcome was going to be and it was really traumatizing, I'm not going to lie," said Jose.

Jose said many of the people attending the party were 18 years old or just slightly older. He believes the shooting was gang-related, although investigators have not confirmed that information.

"If you're going to be drinking, make sure you don't be drinking too much because I feel like people around our age obviously unfortunately I don't like to say, but most of us are gang-affiliated, especially the ones that cause this," said Jose. "I would like to say just raise your kids right."

Camila Torres, another Morgan Hill resident, said the shooting has left her shaken.

"I'm pretty traumatized because my mom heard the gunshots and now I'm kind of scared because it's right in front," said Torres.

Unsanctioned party promoted on social media

What they're saying:

Officers from the Morgan Hill Police Department, San Jose Police Department, Gilroy Police Department and the California Highway Patrol also responded to assist.

Investigators said the gathering was an unsanctioned party promoted on social media as a birthday bash for a Twitch streamer. 

According to Brooks Jarosz, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, the property owner said they were unaware the party was taking place and had not rented the field to anyone. Jarosz said organizers also did not obtain a permit for the large event.

Authorities believe the shooting was an isolated incident but have not released a possible motive. Officials also said the shooting was not connected to the Gilroy Garlic Festival or any other events taking place nearby.

No arrests, victim not yet identified

No arrests had been made as of Sunday.

"This is expected to be a lengthy and complex homicide investigation," the sheriff's office said.

Authorities have not identified the person who was killed.

At a Sunday afternoon news conference, sheriff's officials said at least two of the injured victims had been released from the hospital. Officials said the victims suffered injuries including gunshot wounds to the abdomen, ankle and shoulder. All of the victims were adults.

Morgan HillCrime and Public Safety