Information provided by Hollister Police Department. Lea este articulo en español aqui.
On February 9, 2024, Hollister Police officers responded to a call of a fight involving gunfire at the Hillcrest Car Wash on Hillcrest Road. Officers arrived at the scene and located a victim suffering multiple injuries. Despite life saving measures, the man succumbed to his injuries. A suspect was located and eventually arrested.
On Feb, 9 around 2:20 pm, Hollister Police officers were dispatched to a report of a physical fight between individuals that resulting in shots being fired. Officers responded to the Hillcrest Car Wash, located on the 400 block of Hillcrest Road. Hollister Police Officers arrived at the scene and found a 48-year-old Hispanic male suffering from gunshot injuries. Officers, along with Hollister Fire personnel and AMR Paramedics made life saving efforts, but the victim died at the scene.
The initial investigation revealed that there was an altercation between the victim and the alleged suspect who are known to each other. A physical fight ensued and eventually a firearm was produced and shots were fired.
Witnesses advised the shooter fled the scene and they provided suspect vehicle information. The registration address for the suspect vehicle was for a home on Mary Drive. Police responded to the address and located the suspect vehicle parked outside. Police and sheriff personnel surrounded the home, evacuated some members of the home and called out for the suspect to exit the house.
While at the residence on Mary Drive, family members were able to communicate with the suspect via cell phone. They established he had left the home prior to police arrival and agreed to turn himself in. At about 3:45 p.m. police tracked him down to another vehicle being driven on Flynn Road. A felony stop was initiated and the suspect was taken into custody without any further incident.
This is still an ongoing investigation. The name of the victim is not being released pending family notification. The suspect, Jose Angel Valdez (39) was booked at the San Benito County Jail on murder charges.
Based on witness statement and evidence recovered at the scene, no other suspects are being sought at this time.