Brian Light, aged 59, tragically lost his life on June 25, 2019, in a shooting incident at the Ford Store in Morgan Hill, California. Light, who was the Parts and Service Director at the dealership, was hailed as a hero for his actions during the incident. On the day of the shooting, a former employee, Steven Leet, who had been fired earlier that day, returned to the dealership armed with a gun. Leet had been dismissed from his position in the parts department around 4:15 PM and spent about 20 minutes in his car before re-entering the building. He then lingered at his workstation for nearly an hour before being escorted to a back office where he had a conversation with Light and another manager, Xavier Souto.
During this conversation, Leet suddenly opened fire, shooting Souto at point-blank range and killing him instantly. In a courageous attempt to disarm Leet and protect others, Light lunged at the gunman. This brief struggle provided precious moments for approximately 35 colleagues and customers inside the dealership to escape to safety. Unfortunately, Leet shot Light twice, resulting in his death. The entire incident was captured on video surveillance, which showed the heroic actions of Light and the subsequent evacuation of the building.
The aftermath of the shooting saw a detailed investigation by the Morgan Hill Police Department. At a press conference held the following day, Police Chief David Swing and other officials provided more information about the tragic event. They praised Light's bravery, stating that his actions likely prevented further casualties. The suspect, Steven Leet, was also found dead at the scene, having taken his own life after the shooting. The investigation concluded that the incident was a result of a workplace dispute that escalated into violence following Leet's termination.
There were no further arrests or suspects related to the case, as the primary perpetrator, Leet, was deceased. The community mourned the loss of Brian Light and Xavier Souto, both of whom were remembered for their dedication to their work and their families. The incident highlighted the importance of workplace safety and the need for measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
