There was little more that authorities could do to protect the Gilroy Garlic Festival from a determined attacker, authorities and witnesses said Monday, saying there's a reason that events like the gathering where three people were shot to death in Northern California on Sunday are called "soft targets."
Authorities said William Santino Legan, 19, knew that security was going to be tight at the event, one of the largest food festivals in the United States, drawing tens of thousands of visitors every year.
"Honestly, security was great," said Julissa Contreras, a witness who said she's a former police cadet.
Contreras said in an interview that the gunman "planned around security, with security in mind."
"He was completely prepared for what he was doing," she said, adding: "I've been to music festivals with more lax security. And so I really think this was just a fluke."