Suspect May Have Kidnapped a Hollister Girl
HOLLISTER—Hollister Police are looking for a 20-year-old Hollister resident, Jose Barajas, after an investigation into a Friday night shooting ended with the victim, 19-year-old Ariana Zendejas from Hollister, dying at a bay area trauma center.
The victim Ariana Zendejas. She died after the shooting Friday night.
On Friday night at 9 p.m., the Hollister Police Department received a call from Hazel Hawkins Hospital stating that Ariana Zendejas had just arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound. Ariana was flown to a Bay Area trauma Center where she later died from her injuries. The shooting occurred near B Street between the intersection of West Street and Monterey Street.
“We will not rest until we can get the victim’s family and friends some sense of justice from this tragedy in their lives.” Hollister Police Chief David Westrick wrote in a press release, “Part of that justice would be with the person responsible in a jail cell.” Zendejas is a graduate of San Benito High School and was working as a cashier at K-Mart. Her family told investigators that she was planning on joining the military.
The investigation has identified the suspect in the shooting as Barajas, who is described as 5-foot-9, 160 pounds, black hair, and brown eyes. He also has tattoos on both arms, a “B” and a skull on his left forearm., and skulls on his right forearm.
Jose Barajas and Vanessa Flores. They are reportedly traveling together, possibly against her will. (Images Facebook)
Barajas was last seen driving a late model silver or gray KIA midsize SUV. He may be traveling with 20-year-old Hollister resident Vanessa Flores. It is not known at this time whether Flores is being held against her will.
Barajas is to be considered armed and dangerous. A statewide “Be On The Lookout” (BOL) has been broadcasted for his arrest. Barajas is wanted for murder, kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon.
The Hollister Police Department is asking for the public’s help in this case. If you see Barajas, please call 911 immediately. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Hollister Police Department at 831-636-4330 or you may call the WeTip line at 800-78-CRIME.
UPDATE 2/09/2015: Hollister police announced today that Vanessa Flores-Ibarra was found crossing the border from Tijuana into the U.S. On Saturday. She was returned to her family after being detained and interviewed by detectives. No other information was released at that time of the announcement.
