Half Moon Bay, California – Pedro Romero Perez, 24, survived a tragic mass shooting at a mushroom farm in 2023 where seven people lost their lives, including his brother. Perez, who was shot five times during the attack, is now taking legal action against the farm’s owner for negligence in ensuring safety and security at the farm.
The shooting occurred at California Terra Garden and Concord Farms in Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco. Perez is seeking compensation for the physical and emotional trauma he has endured, as well as for the financial losses due to his inability to work. Additionally, another lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Jose Romero Perez’s wife for the wrongful death of her husband, highlighting the devastating impact of the incident on multiple families.
The attorneys representing Perez and Roque are shedding light on the harsh conditions faced by farmworkers, emphasizing the need for better treatment and protection of vulnerable communities. The lawsuits, filed in San Mateo County’s superior court, allege that the farm owner failed to take necessary precautions to prevent foreseeable violence in the workplace.
Law enforcement responded to the shooting on January 23, 2023, discovering multiple fatalities and Perez wounded at the farm. The tragic event took place just two days after another mass shooting in Monterey Park, adding to the growing concerns about gun violence in the region. The lawsuit also exposed the substandard living conditions endured by workers like the Perez brothers, who were living in inadequate facilities owned by the farm.
Despite previous incidents involving threatening behavior by individuals at the farm, including a manager who fired a shot into an employee’s trailer, leading to tragic consequences in the later mass shooting, the farm owner allegedly failed to address the potential risks adequately. Following the shooting, authorities conducted an investigation citing numerous violations, including the lack of active-shooter protocols.
The attorneys are advocating for better standards and accountability from employers, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of all workers. While the farm owners have yet to respond to the lawsuits, the legal proceedings continue as the survivors seek justice for the lives lost and the grave impact of the tragedy on their families.