Bullet Travels Through Apartment, Injures Two

Officers Believe This incident was Gang Related

HOLLISTER—Officers with the Hollister Police Department are investigating a shooting into an apartment complex on the 100 block of Third Street that left two injured.

Officers responded to the call of shots fired into an inhabited dwelling last Thursday evening, November 15. Once there, they discovered a male victim suffering from a single gunshot wound to his left arm. The victim told officers that he was sitting inside his apartment when a shooter fired a bullet through the window striking him in the arm.

Historic Third Street in Hollister, where some buildings date to the 1700’s, and near where the shooting occurred.

The bullet travel through the wall and into an adjoining apartment and struck a 12-year-old girl in the back. Both victims were taken to Hazel Hawkins Hospital for treatment. The juvenile victim was treated for a minor injury and released. But the male victim was flown by CALSTAR to a bay area trauma center.

Investigating officers interviewed other tenants of the complex and determined that two teenage Hispanic males were seen in the area just seconds before the shooting. Other evidence in this incident indicated that this shooting was gang related.

The 24-year-old male victim was apparently the intended target. Officers recovered a rifle that was tossed in the backyard of a nearby residence. Investigators found at another nearby home a .357 caliber handgun in a hedge next to the house.

No suspects have been identified yet, but the Hollister Police Department is still investigating this incident and are looking for the public’s help.

“Someone out there knows who did this cowardly act; a relative, an acquaintance or a girlfriend of the shooter can make a difference by coming forward.” Hollister Police Chief David Westrick said, “The next time, it could be you or your relative that gets hurt.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to call the Hollister Police Department at 1-831-636-4330. People wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTip at 800-78-CRIME.

Read More:

The Californian: Hollister shooting injures man, girl

KSBW: Hollister man, 12-year-old girl hit by single bullet