The district attorney’s office had more questions on July 4 fireworks-related incident involving injuries and referred the case back to Hollister police Thursday for further investigation, a prosecutor told the Free Lance.
The San Benito County District Attorney’s Office received the police report July 24 related to the July 4 incident on Brigantino Drive resulting in injuries to an array of people.
On Thursday, Deputy District Attorney Karen Forcum, who is overseeing the case, referred it back to the Hollister Police Department, she confirmed.
“Given the nature of the case, there are just some questions that required some answers and further investigation,” Forcum said. “There are a lot of neighbors and potential witnesses that might be of assistance in the investigation.”
She declined to comment further.
Prosecutors could file misdemeanor or felony charges against Hollister’s Shawn G. Bourdet, 35, or decline to file anything in the matter. Hollister police arrested Bourdet after the incident, and he later posted the $65,000 bail amount for release.
Police have alleged that he set off a large mortar device on the street at a large block party on Brigantino Drive. Once lit, the launcher fell over and injured at least five people, police reported.
Injuries included a broken leg and varying degrees of burns, according to police. All of the victims were expected to recover. Police reported that several others may have self-transported to the hospital to varying injuries.
