Hollister man facing felony charges for allegedly attacking family members with mallet, knife

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION) A Hollister man has been arrested for allegedly attacking several family members during an incident on Friday.

Police said they responded to a 911 call that was an open line with people yelling in the background at about 12:45 p.m., and when they were on their way to the location of the call in the 100 block of College Street, dispatch said someone started screaming on the phone.

When dispatch was able to speak to someone, the person told them that 60-year-old Fernando Sanchez had attacked family members with a mallet and had hit a 17-year-old in the head several times when she tried to stop him from attacking her mother.

They said Sanchez then got a kitchen knife and continued to attack the family members. They were able to barricade themselves inside the home when Sanchez walked into the back yard.

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When officers arrived, they found Sanchez stabbing himself, and he refused to drop the knife and continued stabbing himself when officers ordered him to drop it.

The officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and kept their distance until another officer arrived with a kinetic energy impact launcher to try to get him to drop it. Both shots hit his arms, and he dropped the knife.

He was handcuffed and given first aid until he could be transported to a trauma center. The 17-year-old was also taken to the hospital to get treatment for her injuries.

Sanchez is being held for evaluation and undergoing surgery, according to police. He is facing felony charges for assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence.

Those experiencing a crisis can call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for free 24/7.