The Hollister Police Department is investigating a gang-related
shooting that resulted in a 16-year-old boy getting injured
Thursday evening in the 600 block of A Street.
Hollister – The Hollister Police Department is investigating a gang-related shooting that resulted in a 16-year-old boy getting injured Thursday evening in the 600 block of A Street.
It is the fourth attempted murder in Hollister in 2007 and the city’s 17th shooting, according to police records.
The boy had glass in his face and arms and a fragment of a bullet in his ear from the shooting, said police officer Rosie Betanio, a spokeswoman for the Hollister Police Department. The injuries were considered minor, and the teenager was taken to Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital for treatment, she said.
Witnesses told officers four people were getting out of a car when a white Ford Expedition with up to three occupants slowly pulled past them, reversed and fired three shots at about 6:20pm, Betanio said.
Betanio said it is rare for a drive-by to occur in the daytime.
“Most of shootings are in the late evening,” she said.
Authorities believe the suspects may be Norteño gang members.
“They yelled out words for a gang affiliation,” Betanio said.
One of the suspects yelled ‘Norte,’ which is Spanish for north, the spokeswoman said. Another suspect was wearing a red hat.
Neighbors voiced concern about the shooting Friday.
Laura Kain, who lives with her husband and daughter on A Street about a half-block away from where the shooting occurred, said she heard the three gunshots. Kain questioned whether Hollister – with the exception of Ridgemark – is safe anymore.
“I do think more and more frequently, at least in the past month or so, there have been more incidents in my particular neighborhood,” Kain said.
Kain said neighbors’ vehicles have been burglarized and her daughter’s car tire has been slashed.
Hollister continues to be plagued with shootings in 2007, with 17 so far – including 15 drive-bys – resulting in three attempted murders and one homicide, according to police records. In 2006, there were six shootings in Hollister.
Police have no descriptions of the suspects. Authorities encourage anyone with information about the shooting to call the Hollister Police Department at 831-636-4330.
