Nearly one year after a gunman opened fire on his former co-workers in Half Moon Bay, killing seven and injuring one, the community came together Sunday to remember the victims.
Half Moon Bay Mayor Joaquin Jimenez led the remembrance ceremony, reading the names of the victims and holding a moment of silence for the seven victims who lost their lives to the workplace gun violence a year ago Tuesday.
Jimenez reminded everyone how vital farmworkers are to all of our lives but are often forgotten and treated as second-class citizens.
“We owe it to them. Let’s not forget that. Their safety, their well-being. That includes decent housing,” he said.
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Speakers included Rep. Anna Eshoo, who said everyone needs to remember the victims and help improve living and working conditions that were exposed by the tragedy.
Tuesday will mark one year since Chunli Zhao shot his former co-workers at two different locations, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
Four people were killed at the former Mountain Mushroom Farm, with another person being airlifted to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Zhao allegedly then drove about two miles to another former employer where he gunned down three more people.
A sheriff’s deputy took him into custody after he parked near a sheriff’s substation.
A few days after the shooting, Zhao admitted to the murders in a jailhouse interview with NBC Bay Area and added that he was remorseful. He would later please not guilt to all charge in court.
The shooting left the Half Moon Bay community in shock, and began a long mourning process for families, friends and co-workers whose lives were forever altered.
