**UPDATE** Suspects in Transit Mall Shooting have Been Arrested

On January 4, 2026, officers with the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) responded to a shooting at the Santa Rosa Transit Mall that left two juvenile victims injured during an armed robbery. A 15-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder and back, while a 14-year-old boy suffered a grazing wound to the waist; both were treated and later released from the hospital. The suspects, described as two young adult men wearing dark clothing and ski masks, brandished a firearm and demanded property belonging to the two victims and their friends. One of the suspects “pistol-whipped” the 15-year-old victim prior to shooting him once in the shoulder. The second victim was likely grazed by shrapnel following the shooting. Both suspects fled the area with stolen property. Despite an extensive search involving SRPD officers, K9 units, and air support from Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Henry-1, the suspects and firearm remained outstanding. 

Detectives with the SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations Team (VCI), with investigative support from the SRPD Gang Crimes Team (GCT), immediately began investigating this incident and were ultimately able to identify the two suspects believed to be responsible for this incident as Omar Serrano, an 18-year-old Santa Rosa resident, and a 17-year-old male resident of Petaluma. Both suspects are believed to be active members of a criminal street gang. It is believed the 17-year-old suspect was responsible for “pistol-whipping” the first victim and shooting both.  

On January 14, 2026, detectives with the SRPD VCI, GCT, and Property Crimes Investigations Team, as well as officers with the Special Enforcement Team, Downtown Enforcement Team, and a K9 officer, began a large-scale surveillance operation to take both suspects safely into custody. At approximately 11:30 a.m., detectives located Serrano in a parked vehicle with a female acquaintance on Rocky Point Way in the Fountaingrove area.  Uniformed SRPD officers contacted Serrano and detained him without incident.  

At approximately 12:30 p.m., the 17-year-old male was observed by detectives exiting his residence located in the 300 block of Stuart Drive, Petaluma. Uniformed SRPD officers detained the juvenile in front of his residence without incident. 

Detectives served search warrants at two Santa Rosa residences linked to Serrano, and a Petaluma home where the juvenile suspect resides. The residences searched were located in the 290 block of Harvest Lane and the 2300 block of Heidi Drive in Santa Rosa, and the 300 block of Stuart Drive in Petaluma. Articles of clothing were seized as evidence. No firearms were located at any of the residences.  
 

Serrano was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail for the following offenses: 

211 PC – Robbery 

245(b) PC – Assault with a firearm 

186.22(a) PC – Participation in a criminal street gang 

186.22(b)(1)(c) PC – Commit a felony for the benefit of a criminal street gang 

1203.2 PC – Felony violation of probation 
 

The 17-year-old male suspect was arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall for the following offenses: 

211 PC – Robbery 

245(b) PC – Assault with a firearm 

186.22(a) PC – Participation in a criminal street gang 

186.22(b)(1)(c) PC – Commit a felony for the benefit of a criminal street gang
 

We understand that members of the community have noticed similarities between the recent shooting at the Santa Rosa Transit Mall and the January 9 shooting of a 14-year-old boy at MLK Park (SRPD case number 26-287). While both incidents involved juveniles and firearms, our investigations have determined that the suspects arrested in connection with the Transit Mall shooting were not involved in the MLK Park incident. However, through both investigations, we have confirmed that all individuals arrested in both incidents are affiliated with the same criminal street gang organization. 

Gang violence, especially when it impacts vulnerable teens and young adults, is deeply concerning and alarming to our community. The Santa Rosa Police Department shares these concerns and is committed to addressing them. We are working closely with the City of Santa Rosa Violence Prevention Partnership to bring resources and support to affected neighborhoods and families. Additionally, our Gang Crimes Team remains focused on four key priorities: prevention, intervention, education, and enforcement. These efforts aim to reduce gang-related violence, protect our youth, and strengthen community safety. 

Both shooting incidents are still being actively investigated. Anyone with information about either incident is encouraged to call the SRPD VCI tipline at 707-543-3590 or submit an anonymous tip online at www.srcity.org/CrimeTips.  

A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered by the Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement and Safety Rewards Fund. The reward is for information leading to the identification and arrest of additional suspects in either of these incidents.  

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 26-101. 

Media inquiries can be directed to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, Public Information Officer, at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org. 
 

**Original Message** 

SRPD Investigating Shooting at Santa Rosa Transit Mall 

On January 4, 2026, at approximately 6:26 p.m., Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) officers responded to multiple reports of a shooting at the Santa Rosa Transit Mall, 500 2nd Street. Upon arrival, officers located a 15-year-old male suffering from a through-and-through gunshot wound to the upper shoulder and mid-back area. Officers immediately rendered medical aid. The victim was transported by ambulance to an area hospital, where he received treatment for a non-life-threatening injury. 

At approximately 6:47 p.m., a second juvenile victim, a 14-year-old male, was discovered to have a gunshot grazing wound to the waist. The injury is believed to have resulted from the same bullet that struck the first victim. He was also transported to an area hospital for treatment. Both victims have since been treated and released from the hospital.  

The preliminary investigation indicated that a group of four juvenile males was waiting for a bus at the Transit Mall when they were accosted by two young adult men wearing dark clothing and ski masks. The men then demanded the boys hand over personal property while one of the suspects brandished a pistol. During the robbery, the 15-year-old victim had been “pistol-whipped” on the side of his head, then shot once in the shoulder. The suspects, still in possession of the firearm and property stolen from the victims, then ran from the scene in the direction of Julliard Park. Officers immediately began searching the area and received air support from Henry-1, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office helicopter. SRPD K9 Ghost responded to the area and began searching for the suspects and the firearm used in this incident. The suspects were not located during the extensive search, and the firearm remains outstanding. The Transit Mall was temporarily closed as detectives with the SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations Team (VCI), and a Field & Evidence Technician responded to the scene and conducted their investigation.  

The investigation remains ongoing, and VCI detectives are actively working to identify and locate the suspects involved in this incident. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Santa Rosa Police Department VCI Tipline at 707-543-3590 or submit tips anonymously online at www.srcity.org/CrimeTips.  

A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered by the Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement and Safety Rewards Fund. The reward is for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspects involved in this incident.  

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 26-101. 

Media inquiries can be made to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, Public Information Officer, at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.