Hollister police have identified the victim in Friday night’s shooting homicide as Ariana Zendejas, 19, a graduate of San Benito High School.
Authorities also revealed late Sunday that Zendejas was a cashier at Kmart and aspired to serve in the military, while the Hollister Police Department expressed condolences to her family and friends in a statement.
Police are seeking a male suspect and a woman seen with him after the shooting homicide over the weekend.
Police are looking for Jose Barajas, 20, of Hollister, along with Vanessa Flores, 20, of Hollister. It is unknown if Barajas held Flores against her will, according to a statement from police.
The shooting victim arrived at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital at 9 p.m. Friday in a private vehicle and then was transported to a Bay Area trauma center, where he died.
Police have identified the homicide suspect as Barajas. He is described as 5-foot-9, 160 pounds with black hair with brown eyes.
According to an HPD statement: Barajas has a tattoo of a “B” and a skull on his left forearm and skulls on his right forearm. He is suspected of murder, kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon.
The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police.
The suspect was last seen in a late-model, silver or gray KIA midsized sport utility vehicle. Witnesses last saw Flores with the suspect in this vehicle.
Police have put out an alert to statewide authorities. Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to call Detective Chris Wells at (831) 636-4330. People wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
Look back for more details as they become available.
