Following an alleged gang-related shooting that injured a teenage boy, Santa Rosa police said they arrested two juvenile suspects Monday afternoon.
The Santa Rosa Police Department received many 911 calls on Monday just after 4:30 p.m. informing them of a shooting that left a victim hurt on the 2400 block of Pawnee Street, according to a news release posted on the department’s social media accounts. After the gunshot, callers reported seeing two men racing west on Pawnee Street and one person on the ground.
The 16-year-old male victim was discovered by arriving officers to have been shot at least twice in the legs. They provided aid, including applying tourniquets to both legs. For medical attention, the sufferer was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. The victim’s injuries were not life-threatening, and his condition remained stable while he was in the hospital.
Additional details about the suspects, such as physical descriptions and the knowledge that they were observed running toward Comstock Middle School at 2750 W. Steele Lane, were given by witnesses to officers and police dispatchers. Two young men who fit the suspects’ description were spotted heading south along the school’s east fence line by a police sergeant who was on the site.
The suspects started to flee more quickly as the sergeant drove up to them in his patrol cruiser. He was observed running with one of the suspects clutching his right hand at his belt. It was later discovered by authorities that the suspect dropped a concealed handgun he was carrying when he was escaping from police.
After pursuing the suspects, the sergeant gave them the order to turn themselves in. Five minutes after the first 911 call about the incident, one of the suspects cooperated and was taken into custody close to the front of Comstock Middle School. Additionally, a small pocketknife was discovered in the suspect’s possession.
The second suspect, the one with the gun, fled into the school’s quad area, and another officer began pursuing him on foot. The police discovered the gun with the ejected magazine on the ground close to the suspect’s last location while pursuing him.
Following the pursuit, authorities were able to get video that showed the suspect trying to toss the pistol onto the school’s roof. The officer persisted in giving the subject more orders to surrender. At 4:39 p.m., the suspect finally stopped running and turned himself in just south of the school’s quad area.
Numerous soccer matches were taking place at the sports grounds at the time of the shooting and the police chase. Additionally, Comstock Middle School and the neighboring James Monroe Elementary School hosted after-school programs for both children and teachers. During the incident, Santa Rosa City Schools exercised extreme care and instituted lockdown measures. Around 4:45 p.m., the lockdown was lifted.
Both suspects, according to the police, were male Santa Rosa locals, both 16 years old, and known to have gang links. The investigation was taken up by detectives from the department’s Gang Crimes Team. According to police, detectives think the suspects noticed the victim on Northcoast Street and thought he was part of a rival street gang.
The three young people started fighting after the accused challenged the victim to a fight. One of the suspects pulled out a revolver during the altercation and shot the victim several times, hitting him two or three times. Police thought the man had been shot once in one leg and probably twice in the other leg, and they found six bullet casings at the site.
It was found that the recovered pistol, a.22 caliber semi-automatic handgun, was stolen from another state. On several charges, including attempted murder, active involvement in a street gang, committing a felony for the benefit of a criminal street gang, carrying a loaded firearm in public, possessing a stolen firearm, resisting arrest, and delaying arrest, the two suspects were taken into custody and placed in Juvenile Hall. A juvenile warrant was also in the possession of one or both of the suspects.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to get in touch with the Santa Rosa Police Department, according to the authorities.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.