Former Gilroy businessman killed in Las Vegas when a man
deliberately plowed his car into a crowd
Hollister – A former Gilroy businessman on vacation was killed Wednesday when a man intentionally drove a stolen car into a crowd of pedestrians on the Las Vegas strip.
Gordon Kusayanagi, 52, was vacationing in Las Vegas with his wife, Stephanie, when a Rialto man drove a stolen Buick onto the sidewalk near Bally’s hotel-Casino. It is unknown whether his wife was one of the 13 people injured when 27-year-old Stephen Michael Ressa plowed into a crowd mainly made up of tourists visiting Las Vegas. A second man from Irvine died from his injuries Thursday.
Kusayanagi and his wife owned two Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in Gilroy before selling them about a year ago and buying one in Monterey.
Kusayanagi’s family members could not be reached for comment Thursday, however Eric Palmer, assistant manager at Kusayanagi’s sweets store, said his boss was a guitar player full of youthful enthusiasm who played in a popular rock cover band in Monterey. But when he wasn’t living out his rock and roll dreams playing guitar or singing back-up vocals while covering songs from bands like Matchbox 20, Palmer said Kusayanagi was incredibly honest, quiet and funny.
“He definitely wanted to be a rock star – that’s how him and his wife met,” Palmer said. “This was quite a shock. He always came in with a smile on his face.”
Staff Writer Luke Roney and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com.
