Gilroy Garlic Festival Victims Have One Month Remaining to Apply for Compensation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 29, 2026

Contact: Public Affairs

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Gilroy Garlic Festival Victims Have One Month Remaining to Apply for Compensation

SACRAMENTO - Nearly seven years ago, a deadly shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival killed three people and physically and mentally injured many more. The victims and their families have one month remaining to apply for up to $70,000 in financial reimbursement from the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB).

"If you or a loved one was affected by this tragedy, we encourage you to apply before the July 28 deadline," said Lynda Gledhill, CalVCB Executive Officer. "Once an application is approved, benefits are lifelong and can be accessed when needed. Healing takes time, and victims deserve to be supported through this process."

To receive support, victims must submit a completed application by July 28, 2026. At the time of the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting, the deadline to apply for compensation was three years from the date of the crime. However, as of Jan. 1, 2020, victims of all violent crimes now have seven years from the date of the crime to file.

Victims can apply online or through a Victim Witness Assistance Center (VWAC) in their county. As of June 1, CalVCB has approved 652 applications for compensation.

The family members of those killed may qualify for funeral and burial reimbursement, support loss, and mental health treatment. Those who were injured or witnessed the mass shooting may qualify for benefits, including:

• Mental health treatment
• Medical bills
• Income loss and more

Gilroy Garlic Festival victims may also receive help from the Mariposas Resiliency Center. This organization, formerly called the Gilroy Strong Resiliency Center, was started in 2020 to provide long-term support for survivors, first responders, and other community members impacted by the Gilroy Garlic Festival mass shooting.

In 2023, the organization rebranded to the Mariposas Resiliency Center, received a $1.1 million Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) grant from CalVCB, and began helping survivors of all violent crimes. In 2025, the Santa Clara District Attorney's Office received a $2.1 million grant from CalVCB to continue providing trauma-informed mental health treatment through the Mariposas Resiliency Center.

You can reach the Mariposas Resiliency Center by calling (408) 209-8356 or by e-mailing: [email protected].

Additional information is available on CalVCB's website.

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The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) provides reimbursement for crime-related expenses to victims who suffer physical injury or the threat of physical injury as a result of violent crime. CalVCB helps crime victims and their families cover unforeseen expenses such as medical bills, mental health treatment, funeral and burial expenses, income loss and more. To learn more about CalVCB, visit victims.ca.gov.