Half Moon Bay, California – A lawsuit has been filed against the owner of mushroom farms in Half Moon Bay, where tragedy struck last year when seven farmworkers were killed in a mass shooting. The family of one of the slain workers, as well as his brother who survived the ordeal, are seeking justice through legal action.
The surviving brother, Pedro Felix Romero Perez, who was shot five times during the incident that took place on January 23, 2023, is part of the lawsuit. Sadly, his older brother Jose did not survive.
Following the devastating event, attorneys representing the family have announced the lawsuits against Xianmin Guan of California Terra Garden, Inc. The allegations against the farm include a failure to implement sufficient measures to protect their tenants from violent acts by third parties.
It has been revealed that the shooter, Chunli Zhao, had a documented history of violence. Additionally, a prior shooting incident on the property in July 2022 raised concerns over the safety protocols in place at the mushroom farms.
Authorities disclosed that Zhao, an employee at the farms, carried out the heinous act, resulting in the deaths of four workers and the injury of a fifth at California Terra Garden. Tragically, three more workers lost their lives at a farm located just a few miles away.
California Terra Garden has been accused of lacking a comprehensive plan to safeguard its workers from violent incidents. The legal representatives of the brothers’ family, from Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, emphasized the farm’s negligence in protecting its employees, especially migrant workers like Pedro and Jose, who faced challenging working and living conditions.
Expressing their disappointment in the farm’s failure to uphold essential worker safety standards, attorney Nabilah Hossain condemned California Terra Gardens for profiting while endangering its workforce. In response to these allegations, the family’s attorneys have scheduled a press conference at 11 a.m. on Friday to discuss the lawsuits at 604 Main St., Suite G, Half Moon Bay.