A 24-year-old man and 12-year-old girl were struck by the same bullet Thursday and injured in an apartment complex on Third Street, according to the Hollister Police Department.
Police believe the shooting was gang related and that the 24-year-old was the target, according to a statement from the HPD.
It was reported at about 6 p.m. in the 100 block of Third Street near downtown Hollister. According to the police statement, the male victim had been inside his apartment when a shooter fired one round from a handgun through the window. After hitting the man’s arm, the bullet traveled through a wall into an adjoining apartment unit and struck the girl on her back.
Both were transported to Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital – the girl was treated for a minor injury and released – with the male then flown to a Bay Area trauma center. The man was released after “a few hours” there, according to police.
Police have not identified suspects but noted witnesses saw two teenage, Hispanic males in the area before the incident.
Investigators recovered a rifle tossed in the backyard of one residence and a .357 handgun in a hedge next to a nearby home, according to police.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to call Detective Staci Esqueda at (831) 636-4330, ext. 114, or Gang Detective Matthew Weiss at (831) 636-4330, ext. 132. People wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
