Second Arrest Made in Cinco de Mayo Shooting Investigation 

On May 5, 2026, at approximately 8:27 p.m., officers with the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) assigned to a Cinco de Mayo festival near Sebastopol Road and Avalon Avenue ran toward gunshots coming from just outside the event area near Dutton Avenue. Moments later, they encountered an adult male suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound to the neck. Officers provided immediate assistance until medical personnel arrived and transported him to a hospital with life‑threatening injuries. The victim has since been released from the hospital. Detectives with the SRPD Gang Crimes Team immediately responded to the scene, and they learned the shooting stemmed from an earlier altercation in a nearby parking lot, during which a suspect fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene. One of the errant rounds struck a taco truck, and there were hundreds of community members gathered in the immediate area. No additional victims were located. 

Throughout the night, detectives developed leads and identified Gustavo Lopez-Urate, a 19-year-old resident of Ukiah, as one of the suspects involved in this incident. Shortly after 3:00 a.m. on May 6th, officers assigned to the SRPD Special Enforcement Team located Lopez-Urate in his vehicle in the area of Ridley Avenue and Jennings Avenue. Lopez-Urate was detained without incident and booked into jail for assault with a firearm and offenses related to his participation in a criminal street gang.  

As detectives continued their investigation, they identified Sebastian Ramirez, an 18-year-old resident of Rohnert Park, as the primary suspect in this shooting. On May 7th at approximately 8:20 p.m., members of the SRPD Gangs Crimes Team, Property Crimes Investigations Team, SWAT, and Hostage Negotiations Team responded to Ramirez’s home, located in the 6000 block of Diane Court, Rohnert Park, to serve both a search warrant and a warrant for his arrest. Ramirez surrendered to police without incident. 

Detectives located clothing and additional evidence during the search warrant. The firearm used in this incident was not located. 

Ramirez was booked into jail for the following offenses: 

664/187(a) PC – Attempted murder 

246.3(a) PC – Negligent discharge of a firearm 

186.22(b)(1) PC – Participate in a criminal street gang 

186.22(a) PC – Commit a felony to further or promote a criminal street gang 

This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that would assist with the investigation, including area security camera footage, is encouraged to contact the Santa Rosa Police Department through our online Tip Line: www.srcity.org/CrimeTips.  You can also provide information by contacting Gang Crime Investigations detectives at (707) 543-3670. 

This case demonstrates the value of sustained, coordinated efforts to address violence in our community. The focused work of specialized units like our Gang Crimes Team and Special Enforcement Team allows us to quickly identify those responsible and act decisively to protect public safety. At the same time, long-term solutions depend on strong collaboration with community partners and local organizations such as the Santa Rosa Violence Prevention Partnership. By working together, we can reduce the influence of gangs, expand positive opportunities, and help ensure a safer future for everyone in Santa Rosa. 

Santa Rosa Police Department Case number 26-4695. 

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

**First Update** 

A Message to the Santa Rosa Community from Chief John Cregan 

Dear Santa Rosa Community, 

I want to take a moment to follow up on the recent shooting that occurred outside of the Roseland Cinco de Mayo Festival last night. 

This was a gang‑related incident that took place in the parking lot of the Roseland Library, which is also the future site of our department’s substation. While the shooting occurred just outside the defined footprint of the festival, it is important to acknowledge that hundreds of community members were gathered in the immediate area, enjoying a family‑focused event intended to bring people together. Tragically, a nearby taco truck was struck by a stray round, highlighting how close this violence came to harming additional people.   

There were several thousand community members still enjoying the thriving festival and celebrating this important day for our city. It is deeply disheartening to see an event centered on connection, family, and community impacted by such a senseless act of violence. 

At the same time, I want to express my pride in the officers who were working at that event. They heard the gunfire and immediately ran toward it, locating the victim within seconds. Their actions brought calm to a chaotic and dangerous situation, and they quickly rendered emergency medical aid while ensuring the safety of those nearby. Their courage and professionalism are a reflection of the commitment our officers have to our community every day.  Our incredible partners with the Santa Rosa Fire Department were quickly on the scene, and their efforts ensured the victim survived his serious injuries.   

Detectives with our Gang Crimes Team responded immediately and worked through the night to investigate this shooting. Through their efforts, they developed leads that resulted in the identification of one of the individuals involved. At approximately 3:30 a.m., officers assigned to our Special Enforcement Team located and safely detained a 19‑year‑old suspect in the area of Ridley Avenue and Jennings Avenue without incident. He has since been booked into jail on charges related to assault with a firearm and participation in a criminal street gang. 

While this arrest represents important progress, our work is not done. The firearm used in this incident has not yet been recovered, and we believe additional individuals were involved. We are asking for the community’s continued partnership. If you have any information that may assist in this investigation, we encourage you to come forward. Working together, we can hold those responsible accountable and continue our efforts to reduce violence in our community. Please call our Gang Crimes Team tipline at 707-543-3670 if you have any information. You can read more about the shooting and find information about a reward for information leading to the arrest of additional suspects here. 

This incident underscores the ongoing need for focused, proactive efforts to address gang‑related violence. Our Gang Crimes Team detectives play a critical role in investigating and disrupting gang activity across Santa Rosa, and our Special Enforcement Team continues to work tirelessly to remove illegal firearms from our streets and respond quickly to acts of violence like this one.  Just so far in 2026, our police officers have seized a total of 276 illegal firearms. 196 of those firearms were privately manufactured firearms more commonly referred to as “ghost guns”.  

Law enforcement alone cannot solve this complex community issue. We will never arrest our way out of this problem. We must examine why youth in our community are choosing to be armed with illegal handguns and making the decision to use these firearms in acts of violence. As Chief, I remain committed to strengthening our partnership with the Santa Rosa Violence Prevention Partnership, our faith community, and other community organizations. Together, we are working to address the root causes of gang involvement and to provide support, intervention, and opportunity where it is needed most needed in our community.  

Gang violence is not just a policing issue; it is a community issue, and it will take a community‑wide effort to create lasting change. We must continue to work together to ensure that Santa Rosa remains a safe, welcoming place for everyone to live, work, and gather.   

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. 

Sincerely,  
Chief John Cregan 

**Original Message** 

Santa Rosa Police Investigating Shooting 

On May 5, 2026, at around 8:27 p.m., Santa Rosa Police Officers were in the area of Sebastopol Road and Avalon Avenue assigned to a festival celebrating Cinco de Mayo. They heard several shots fired coming from the area of Dutton Avenue just outside of the festival area.  Shortly after that, they saw a male victim in his early twenties running toward them suffering from a gunshot wound.  They stayed with the victim until medical personnel arrived on scene and transported him to a nearby hospital.  The victim’s injuries are life-threatening, but he is in stable condition. 
 
Responding officers learned that shortly before the shots were fired, there was an altercation in a parking lot in the 400 block of Sebastopol Road.  The suspect drew a firearm and fired several rounds with at least one striking the victim.  The suspect then fled from the area and was described as a Hispanic male in his twenties wearing a grey sweatshirt. 
 
Detectives from the Gang Crime and Violent Crime Teams responded to the area to take over the investigation.  Field and Evidence Technicians also responded to process the scene for evidence.  The investigation is currently ongoing. 
 
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that would assist with the investigation is encouraged to contact the Santa Rosa Police Department through our online Tip Line: www.srcity.org/CrimeTips.  You can also provide information by contacting Gang Crime Investigations detectives at (707) 543-3670. 
 
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 arrest of the suspect or suspects involved in this shooting.