Hollister police have arrested a 28-year-old suspect after the stabbing homicide early on Christmas morning, according to a Hollister Police Department announcement.
Hollister police detectives have arrested Juan Mendez Lopez, 28, of Hollister in connection with the murder of German Oliverio Hernandez Santos on Dec. 25.
Officers responded to a reported “disturbance with an intoxicated person” at about 2:30 a.m. Christmas morning in the 100 block of Locust Avenue, which is just west of Vista Park Hill near downtown Hollister. They found a stabbing victim, who sustained injuries to his “upper torso” and died shortly after responders arrived, according to police. Police discovered the man at the “rear of a residence” in the 100 block of Locust Avenue.
According to the police statement: “Hollister police officers located a Hispanic male stabbing victim at the rear of a residence in the 100 Blk. of Locust Avenue. Hollister Fire Department and AMR responded for medical attention. The victim was suffering from upper torso trauma. Despite extensive lifesaving efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries. The identity of the victim is pending notification of next of kin.”
Sheriff’s Sgt. Tony Lamonica said he expected the coroner would conduct an autopsy this week.
The Hollister Police Department is investigating the homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hollister Police Department Detective Bureau at (831) 636-4330. People wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTIP at (800) 78-CRIME.
The fatal stabbing on Christmas was the fifth homicide of the year in Hollister.
