Half Moon Bay, California – A horrifying mass shooting at a mushroom farm in Half Moon Bay, California left seven people dead and one survivor, Pedro Romero Perez, injured. Pedro, 24, was shot five times, and tragically, his older brother, Jose Romero Perez, lost his life in the attack. The shooting occurred on January 23, 2023, at California Terra Garden and Concord Farms, sparking a legal battle as Pedro sues the farm’s owner, Xianmin Guan, for negligence.
The lawsuit filed by Pedro seeks compensation for the physical and emotional trauma he endured, as well as the financial losses he faces due to his inability to work. Additionally, another lawsuit has been filed by the same law office on behalf of Jose Romero Perez’s wife, Marciana Rodriguez Roque, for the wrongful death of her husband, leaving four children without a father.
Attorneys representing the victims are shedding light on the harsh conditions faced by farmworkers like the Perez brothers, who perform strenuous labor in exchange for meager living conditions. The legal team is pushing for a jury trial, aiming to hold the farm’s owner accountable for not safeguarding their employees from foreseeable violence.
The shooting, which occurred just two days after another tragic event in Monterey Park, revealed substandard and hazardous living conditions provided by the farm owner to the workers. Following the shooting, living units at the farm were deemed uninhabitable by San Mateo county supervisor Ray Mueller, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by the farmworkers.
Prior to the mass shooting, a disturbing incident involving a firearm took place on the farm, underscoring a history of violence and negligence. Despite warnings and prior threats made by individuals on the premises, the farm owner allegedly failed to address security concerns and implement proper safety protocols.
In the aftermath of the shooting, authorities conducted an investigation that led to the identification of numerous violations at California Terra Garden and Concord Farms, including the absence of active-shooter protocols. The legal battle between the victims and the farm’s owner continues as demands for justice and accountability echo through the farmworker community, emphasizing the need for better protection and support for vulnerable populations.