The Gilroy Dispatch
HOLLISTER, Calif. — An alleged attempted murderer was arrested outside a southeast Hollister house after a four hour standoff that forced Cerra Vista Elementary School to go into lock-down, according to a school administrator and police.
Between 8:30 and 9 a.m. this morning, a resident on or near Brighton Drive reported seeing the truck of 40-year-old Hollister resident Ruben Anthony Garcia - who police allege shot his mother multiple times after an argument late Sunday night. Soon after the call, police located a house on the 1500 block with Garcia inside and set up a perimeter. At least two blocks in each direction were closed to the public.
About this time, police asked that the school close down out of concern that the arrest process might take them near the school, which was three blocks away, according to Ron Crates, superintendent of the Hollister School District. The district put the school in lock-down at 9:10 a.m.
About 1 p.m., police ordered Garcia to exit the house with his hands raised. He complied and was arrested without further incident on suspicion of attempted murder. Police did not say whether Garcia was also arrested on any charges resulting from the standoff.
The 1500 block of Brighton Drive was also the scene of Sunday’s incident, when Garcia shot his “at least twice” with an unspecified handgun after arguing over finances, according to Hollister Police Department Capt. Bob Brooks.
The mother was flown by helicopter to a Bay Area hospital, where Brooks said she is expected to recover from wounds to her face, arm and hand.
Copyright 2008 The Gilroy Dispatch