Hollister High School agricultural department looking to recover after two of their animals were killed

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION-TV)- A shocking discovery on Tuesday morning in the ag barn at Hollister High School now has students and staff on high alert.

"I got the call from one of my teaching partners and he notified me of what had happened. And so, I headed straight out here," said Grace Erickson, an Agriculture teacher at Hollister High School. "We already had school staff on site, that start earlier in the day, so that was nice because the kids were not here alone,"

Investigators say Monday night around 11:30 p.m., three suspects broke into the barn killed two animals with an axe, and stole some equipment.

The animals that were killed were a pig and a goat and were supposed to showcased at the Salinas Valley Fair.

Students had been raising them ahead of the fair in May. But luckily Erickson says there’s still time to compete.

"Any student, that either of our students that were affected by this directly, they still have time to make a decision and process everything that has happened and then make the decision as to whether or not they want to proceed with their project," said Erickson.

Erickson says the department is working with the school and community members to replace the animals that were killed.

"Several community members reach out to us about wanting to help with that, that cost, so that the students don't have to incur any additional, expense to replace their projects if that's what they choose to do," Erickson.

Despite the hundreds of security cameras across campus – including the 16 that helped capture two of the suspects involved.

The school says it will add extra security measures after this incident like having adults at the barn during feeding times which are in the mornings and afternoon.

Although Erickson says never expected to arrive at school one morning to dead animals on campus, the support from the community is making the incident easier to handle.

"Very much a tragedy. But, we've really seen the community again come together," Erickson said. "We celebrate our community a lot."

Over 500 students are a part of the Ag Department at Hollister High School.

Erickson says the students have been handling the tragic situation well.

And rest of the animals in the barn were unharmed. San Benito County Sheriff's Office said there is one suspect still on the loose