The man who was beaten atop Park Hill on Jan. 4 died Sunday of
his injuries after staying in the hospital for more than a month in
critical condition. Hollister resident Mark Arballo, 39, suffered
injuries to his head and face after seven suspects beat him in what
Hollister police believe was a gang-related incident. It was the
first homicide in Hollister this year.
The man who was beaten atop Park Hill on Jan. 4 died Sunday of his injuries after staying in the hospital for more than a month in critical condition.
Hollister resident Mark Arballo, 39, suffered injuries to his head and face after seven suspects beat him in what Hollister police believe was a gang-related incident. It was the first homicide in Hollister this year.
The police still are investigating the incident and following up on leads stemming from a two-day search on Park Hill, Sgt. George Ramirez said. Police have yet to arrest anyone suspected in the crime.
Recently, Arballo had been doing better before Feb. 4 when the doctors said he needed emergency surgery, his older sister Genevieve Arballo said Monday, while her family had gathered at her mother’s home in Hollister. He was preparing to go to physical rehabilitation after receiving nerve damage from the attack.
“He was doing a lot better – then he wasn’t,” she said. “There are so many emotions.”
The Arballo family is still trying to search for answers as to why the attack occurred, but they are trying to move on and remember Mark Arballo, his sister said.
“He was a good guy,” she said. “I don’t know what he could have done to these people to deserve this.
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Thirteen years his elder, Genevieve Arballo remembered babysitting him when they were younger, taking him to school and teaching him how to drive.
“He was a good kid, always having fun,” she said.
But it’s her last good memory that stands out most, she said. This past Christmas, the core family members gathered for the first time without their father, John, and brother, Jason, Mark’s twin, who passed away last year.
“It was the best Christmas,” his sibling said, because it was just the brothers, sisters and the mom reminiscing about John and Jason.
“We missed dad and Jason, but we were making new memories,” she said. “It was a wonderful feeling.”
Arballo was singing karaoke, dancing and talking about his beloved San Francisco 49ers, she said.
“It is such a good memory and it wasn’t too long ago,” she said.
After Christmas, Arballo was preparing to move to Martinez with another sister to go back to school.
The incident happened around 11 p.m. Jan. 4 when seven suspects attacked Arballo on the 300 block of Hill Street.
Witnesses’ reports described seven Hispanic suspects, ranging from ages 18 to 24 years old, beating Arballo before fleeing the scene.
Arballo was treated on the scene and flown to a Bay Area hospital.
Police are urging those with more information to call Detective Theresa Aguilera at 636-4330 or to remain anonymous can call WeTIP at (800) 78 CRIME.
To donate to the Mark Arballo memorial fund, go to Black-Cooper-Sander funeral home.
