Hollister
– Local police continue to search for suspects believed to have
injured two men during a family gathering at Veterans Memorial Park
that erupted in gunfire.
Hollister – Local police continue to search for suspects believed to have injured two men during a family gathering at Veterans Memorial Park that erupted in gunfire.
Hollister Police officers were called to the park’s barbecue area shortly before 8pm Saturday after residents reported that a man at the park had fired three gunshots into the evening sky, said Officer Rosie Betanio. The suspects had fled the scene by the time police arrived, but 30 minutes later two victims were located at Hazel Hawkins Hospital.
Hollister resident Jaime Canela, 38, was shot once in the knee, treated and released from the hospital the next day, Betanio said. Fellow resident Tomas Venegas, 20, suffered major injuries to his legs after being rammed with a truck. Venegas has also been released from the hospital.
Witnesses told police that Canela had been shot once by a man standing next to a black Chevrolet Camaro, Betanio said. After shooting Canela, police were told by witnesses, the suspect fired three shots in the air before running away on foot. Police believe, based on statements from victims and eyewitnesses, that Venegas was intentionally rammed by the driver of a white pickup truck and pinned against another vehicle, Betanio said. Police believe the two incidents are related, but have no direct links between the two suspects or crimes.
Although more than 100 people had been present at two separate family gatherings held at the park that day, no one has come forward with any information about the suspects, Betanio said. Witnesses told police that there had been an argument between people at the two family gatherings.
“There is probably more to the story,” Betanio said. “We’re not sure exactly what happened. However, our investigation is ongoing and we are tracking several leads in this case.”
Police collected bullet casings and blood from the scene, but so far neither suspect has been identified, Betanio said.
Betanio said police have no indication that the shooting was gang-related.
Anyone with information about the incident or the suspects is urged to call the Detective Sgt. James Weathers or Detective Tony Lamonica and the Hollister Police Department at 831-636-4330.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com.
