Full Notification

 
HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – January 21^st, 2026 – At about 3 pm today, Hollister Police officers and San Benito County deputies were involved in a series of officer involved shootings with an armed carjacking suspect within Hollister City limits.
 
At about 2:48 pm, Hollister officers and San Benito deputies were notified that the San Jose Police helicopter was following a vehicle that had been involved in an armed carjacking in San Jose. Our officers located the suspect vehicle in the area of Central Ave. at Miller Rd. at about 2:56 pm and engaged the vehicle in a slow-speed vehicle pursuit that ended in the area of Buena Vista Rd. at Westside Blvd. For unknown reasons, the suspect vehicle became disabled at that intersection.
 
The suspect emerged from the vehicle armed with a handgun and there was an officer involved shooting at that scene. All Hollister Police officers are reported to be uninjured.
 
The suspect fled that immediate area and San Benito deputies located the suspect in the area of Buena Vista Rd. and Line St., where there was an additional officer involved shooting. The San Benito Sheriff’s Office reports that their deputies are also uninjured. The suspect fled again and carjacked another vehicle at gunpoint and fled the City of Hollister.
 
The suspect fled towards San Jose northbound and engaged the California Highway Patrol with more gunfire, firing out the window of his vehicle.
 
Ultimately, the suspect fled to San Jose, where he again engaged the San Jose Police Department with more gunfire, and was ultimately killed. During that exchange, a San Jose Police Sergeant was struck with gunfire but is expected to survive. Please refer any questions regarding this incident to the San Jose Police Department.
 
The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office has responded to the scene to investigate the officer’s discharge of weapons.
 
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding these investigations are requested to contact The Hollister Police Department at 831-636-4331. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
# # # #
Prepared by:  B. Leland,
Sergeant                                                                
Approved by:  C. Reynoso, Chief of Police