Police released the name of the prime suspect in a March 15
daytime shooting in a busy Hollister parking lot.
Police released the name of the prime suspect in a March 15 daytime shooting in a busy Hollister parking lot.
After questioning witnesses and others, the Hollister Police Department is searching for Francisco Javier Olivera, a 32-year-old Hollister resident.
Police suspect he shot Enrique Torres, 26, once in the arm outside of Kragen Auto Parts, according to Capt. Richard Vasquez. It occurred at about 1 p.m. after a verbal dispute inside the store led into the parking lot, according to investigators.
Vasquez said he was not sure Friday afternoon whether Olivera has any prior arrests or convictions on his record.
They do believe he’s armed and dangerous, Vasquez said, because the shooter had the handgun when he fled.
Police suspect the shooting was gang related. Vasquez said the three men including Olivera are Sureno gang members and were arguing with Torres, who police say is a Norteno. Torres’ brother was with him, too.
“Yes it is (gang related),” Vasquez said Friday, despite Torres telling the Free Lance that he is not a gang member.
About 45 minutes after the shooter and the two accomplices fled the scene in a red Honda Civic, a sheriff’s deputy recognized the vehicle in downtown Hollister.
Hollister resident Jorge Munguia, 20, was alone and was arrested and charged on suspicion of attempted murder.
Torres after the shooting was airlifted to a Bay Area trauma center, which later released him – the injury was not life threatening, according to a police report.
As of Sunday, police didn’t know if Olivera left the area. Vasquez said investigators are “still checking on multiple leads.”
Also, whether more than five people were involved in the dispute and shooting, he said “the investigation is still pending” on that.
Anyone with further information on the shooting or Olivera should call Detective Tony Lamonica at 636-4330.
