Since 2000, there have been 19 murders in San Benito County.
Twelve have been solved
– seven have not.
Since 2000, there have been 19 murders in San Benito County. Twelve have been solved – seven have not.
Two of these murders happened recently and are being actively investigated by both the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office and the Hollister Police Department, respectively.
A hail of gun fire
The most recent murder took place Oct. 14 on Valaire Drive outside a house party and left a father injured and his son dead.
According to the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office, Robert Anthony Barraza, 21, of Hollister, was shot and killed by up to six gunmen who fired more than 30 bullets when an argument happened outside the party. A dark vehicle, possibly a sedan, is believed to have been used in the killing.
Sheriff’s deputy Tom Keylon said Thursday there are new leads and he is “very close” to making an arrest in the case.
Barazza’s father Robert Barraza Sr. was shot in the stomach and taken to a Bay Area hospital where he later recovered. Barazza Sr. was described as “not cooperative” with the investigation.
Sheriff’s deputies said Barazza may have ties to the Norteno street gang, although friends of family have said Barazza is not a gang member, calling him hard working, respectful, and likable.
Car chase gun battle
Another recent murder yet to be solved happened June 8. According to Hollister police, officers responded to calls of gunfire in the area of Maple and Rustic streets, when shortly after they found a bullet-ridden Honda Accord pulled to the side of the intersection of San Felipe Road and Highway 156.
Inside the car were four people – two had been shot, three were minors and all were suspected Sureno gang members from Salinas.
One, 16 year-old Angel Romero, was shot in the back and arm and hours after a helicopter transport dropped him off at a Bay Area Hospital, he bled to death.
Another, 26 year-old Pedro Serrano Vasquez, was shot in the hand and foot, treated at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and later released.
The two uninjured passengers told authorities they were chased by a light-colored Lincoln sedan and after several blocks, passengers inside the vehicle opened fire. Bullets pulled from the victim’s car were from a high-powered automatic rifle, police said.
Hollister Police ruled the case a “gang-related homicide” and although the original press release claimed “several leads,” justice has yet to be served.
Police suspect five members of the rival Norteno street gang were responsible for the shooting.
