Hollister police officers responded to a shooting and stabbing in the 1000 block of Caputo Court on Saturday after seeing an increase in gang activity in the area starting Friday.
Officers responded at 2:54 a.m. Saturday to multiple reports of about 20 gang members involved in a fight. Officers found an 18-year-old male victim, from Hollister, who suffered lacerations to the face and a gunshot wound to his torso. He was flown to a Bay Area hospital for treatment for non-life threatening injuries. Officers have little information about the incident because the victim was intoxicated and uncooperative, according to police.
On Friday, officers had received additional reports of gang fights on the west end of Hollister. At 11:30 p.m. that day, officers contacted six males in the 1300 block of San Juan Road after receiving a report of a large fight. They found no victims or evidence of gun fire. Officers arrested Alfredo Zendejas, of Hollister, for a probation violation.
The shooting victim from Caputo Court was one of the six men officers spoke with before midnight. Officers also broke up a gang fight in the area of Verde Circle earlier in the evening. An unknown suspect in the large crowd vandalized a patrol car before running from the scene.
Caputo Court is the same area where officers responded to a shooting in September that ended in a vehicle pursuit and arrests for weapons possession. They also found a gun and large amount of marijuana in a vehicle in December when they investigated a party in the vicinity.
No witnesses came forward to assist with the investigation of these crimes. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Gang Officer Matt Weiss at 636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
