Half Moon Bay, California – The owner of mushroom farms in Half Moon Bay faces legal action after seven farmworkers were tragically killed in a mass shooting last year. Surving brother, Pedro Felix Romero Perez, who endured multiple gunshot wounds during the incident in January 2023, has filed a lawsuit against Xianmin Guan of California Terra Garden, Inc., along with the family of his deceased brother, Jose.
Allegations against California Terra Garden, Inc. claim that the farm neglected to implement adequate measures to protect its workers from potential violent acts by third parties. It is also reported that the shooter, Chunli Zhao, had a known history of violence, and a prior shooting incident had occurred on the farm’s premises in July 2022.
Tragically, Zhao, who was an employee at the farm, took the lives of four workers at California Terra Garden and further injured another before continuing his violent rampage at a different farm nearby, where three more workers lost their lives. The family’s legal representatives from Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy assert that California Terra Garden did not have a proper safety plan in place to shield employees from such violent incidents.
Nabilah Hossain, an attorney for the family, criticized California Terra Garden for their neglect, stating, “California Terra Gardens profits off the backs of migrant workers like Pedro and Jose, who persevere through unimaginable working and living conditions. Instead of prioritizing their protection as essential workers, California Terra Gardens failed to ensure their safety from various hazards.”
In response to the alleged negligence, the family’s legal team plans to hold a press conference on Friday at 11 a.m. at 604 Main St., Suite G in Half Moon Bay, to formally announce the lawsuits. The legal action seeks to bring justice for the victims and hold accountable those responsible for the tragic loss of lives in the community.