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Detectives with the Hollister Police Department arrested and booked Hollister teen Carlos Barajas Ramirez into San Benito County jail on Oct. 13 on suspicion of planning a school shooting at Hollister High and publishing threats to do so.
An Oct. 30 press release stated that Hollister Police received a report on Sept. 27 from the Northern California Regional Center (NCRIC) about an individual planning a school shooting. The report noted the individual, later identified as 18-year-old Ramirez, intended to purchase a firearm and carry out a shooting at the high school.
NCRIC and the FBI provided additional information about the case and his plans to commit the crime, the release indicated. Ramirez had discussed his plans and radical ideation with others, according to the press release.
Officers immediately began investigating and contacted witnesses who had communicated with Ramirez through social media and other applications, the release said.
Hollister Police worked with high school staff during the investigation, according to the release, and no information was released at the time to avoid jeopardizing the investigation.
On Oct. 26, Police Sgt. Bo Leland confirmed to BenitoLink that someone had been charged with a “terrorist threat” but had been released.
During the investigation, officers obtained direct messages showing Ramirez’s conversations and intent to carry out the criminal activity, according to the press release.
Given the nature of the crime and urgency of stopping the threat, Hollister Police Det. Yesnia Baugher reviewed the evidence and conversations between Ramirez and others and learned that he lived somewhere in Hollister, the press release said, though his exact location was unknown.
Baugher eventually identified the possible suspect as Ramirez, the press release said, and she along with other detectives and police officers found Ramirez at his residence where he was arrested, booked and charged for violating California Penal Code 422.3(a) Publishing Threats to Commit a School Shooting.
According to the release, Hollister Police indicated there is currently no threat to the high school, and that “cases like this are taken seriously, we work collaboratively with the school staff, and criminal charges will be filed against anyone who plans to commit criminal activity at a school.”
Regarding the police investigation and arrest of Ramirez, San Benito High School District Shawn Tennenbaum was quoted in the press release saying, “Our goal is and has always been to support their efforts, follow their lead, and to not impair their ability to do an outstanding job on behalf of our community.”
The release noted that it had been delayed by the previous prohibition against public and press communication ordered by former City Manager Ana Cortez.
BenitoLink’s requests for further information concerning Ramirez’ current whereabouts, including whether he is in custody or will be rearrested, and whether school officials had been notified while the investigation was under way, and why it took so long to release information on the case were not answered by publication.
County jail officials told BenitoLink Ramirez was not in the jail.
Police Chief Carlos Reynoso told BenitoLink the case has been forwarded to District Attorney Joel Buckingham’s office.
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