The gunman who reportedly opened fire on the crowd with an AK-47 variant SKS rifle killed three, including a six-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl, and a man in his twenties. Another 15 festival goers were injured in the attack. The gunman was killed.

Gilroy Chief of Police Scot Smithee told reporters Monday afternoon the attack at the Gilroy Garlic Festival could "have gotten so much worse" if his officers hadn't responded quickly and decisively, Fox News reports.

“Despite the fact that they were outgunned with their handguns against a rifle, those three officers were able to fatally wound that suspect,” Smithee said.

Smithee said the gunman gained access to the festival by cutting through a fence near a creek area. He said some witnesses reported a second suspect, but police could not immediately confirm those reports and it was unclear if that person also had a weapon or may have been providing some support to the shooter.

The motive for the shooting is unknown.