Hollister
– It’s been three days since Katherine Lara’s life became a
nightmare – three days since her son was murdered on a street in
Hollister – and for Lara the break of dawn each day brings no end
to the horror. It brings only more anguish, more grief.
Hollister – It’s been three days since Katherine Lara’s life became a nightmare – three days since her son was murdered on a street in Hollister – and for Lara the break of dawn each day brings no end to the horror. It brings only more anguish, more grief.
“There are times that I just break down,” she said. “I can’t believe that my son is gone. It’s like a dream; I am still wanting to wake up to see my son.”
Daniel Gallegos, an 18-year-old Pinnacles Community School student, was killed late Monday night when two men driving in a tan, late-model Ford sedan intentionally ran him over near Ozeki Sake in the 200 block of Hillcrest Road. Hollister Police, who say the murder might be gang-related, believe that after running over Gallegos once, the driver put the car in reverse and ran him over again.
Gallegos, who was to graduate from high school in December, had been walking home with his younger brother when they were attacked by the two suspects, who police believe have ties to the Sureño street gang. Following the altercation, the suspects ran Gallegos down. Witnesses said the murderers were Hispanic men in their late teens.
“You don’t have to be a gang member to be killed by one,” Lara said Wednesday. “I always told my son to stay neutral, and he did. I’m still shocked at what happened to my son. They were just walking home. He wasn’t a gang member.”
Lara said her son was very close to his four siblings, Steven Gallegos, Elisa Macias, Felicia Lara and David Lara Jr.
“My son was a really out-going person. He was very respectful,” she said. “He loved his family and he loved his friends.”
Lara said that Gallegos, like many of his peers, enjoyed spending time with family and hanging out with friends. He was also an avid Oakland Raiders fan and often became frustrated when the team lost, she said.
Police are still investigating his murder and no suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime as of press time Wednesday. Lara said she hopes the two suspects are arrested soon and face the maximum legal punishment.
“Whoever did this to my son is a monster,” she said.
Gallegos’ friends and classmates were badly shaken when Pinnacles school officials told them of his death Tuesday, said teacher Anne Marie Filice.
“It’s been tough,” she said. “It’s really hard on the kids. It’s hard for them to come to school.”
Grief counselors visited the school Wednesday to talk with classmates, Filice said.
“Daniel was 18 and chose to stay in school. He would have been graduating in December,” Filice said. “He took his educational path very seriously. Danny was a good kid. He always had a smile on his face. I have the utmost respect for him and his brother.”
One friend, who declined to give his name due to an “unspoken code” between him and Gallegos, said he was shocked.
“(Gallegos) was one of the first guys at San Andreas (Continuation School) that was nice to me,” he said. “He was friends with everyone.”
Family members are making arrangements at the Black, Cooper, Sander Funeral Home in Hollister for later this week. The funeral will be open to all.
In the wake of the murder, the first in the city since 2003, local police are on alert for escalating gang violence. Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller told the Free Lance that several incidents of gang violence during the last year indicate that Hollister has a gang problem. Last October, police responded to four gang-related drive-by shootings, but none resulted in deaths.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com.
