Two Juveniles Arrested Following Assault at Ridgeway High School

On October 1, 2026, at approximately 11:44 a.m., officers with the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) responded to Ridgeway High School, located at 325 Ridgeway Avenue, following a report of a fight on campus.

School officials reported that a fight had occurred inside a school bathroom. Officers arrived and contacted the juvenile male victim, who reported that he was in the bathroom when another student challenged him to a fight. During the altercation, a second student joined the fight and also assaulted the victim.

The victim sustained a contusion to his head, an injury to his left shoulder, and symptoms consistent with a possible concussion. The victim was transported to an area hospital by his family, where he was treated for his injuries and later released.

The two suspects, both 17-year-old males and students at Ridgeway High School, left campus before officers arrived. Working collaboratively with responding officers, school staff quickly identified both suspects and provided information that assisted with the investigation.

Following the initial assault, several additional confrontations and challenges to fight occurred among students on campus. As a safety precaution, school administrators placed the campus in a temporary lockdown, and requested that SRPD officers remain on campus while staff worked to restore order.

Four officers and a sergeant remained at the school for approximately 45 minutes, working alongside school staff until students had returned to their classrooms and it was determined that the campus was safe. One officer remained on campus past dismissal. No additional incidents occurred.

During the investigation, school officials reported that the two juvenile suspects were believed to be associated with a criminal street gang and that at least one of the suspects was observed making suspected gang-related hand signs while leaving campus.

Detectives assigned to the SRPD Gang Crimes Team reviewed video footage of the two suspects leaving the school and recognized them from prior contacts. Based on information developed through the investigation and in coordination with school staff, officers conducted a follow-up investigation to locate both juveniles.

At approximately 4:00 p.m., one suspect was located leaving his residence in Healdsburg. Officers with the SRPD Special Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop and arrested him without incident.

During the traffic stop in Healdsburg, officers also contacted a passenger in the vehicle, identified as Angelo Avila, a 24-year-old resident of Healdsburg. Officers discovered that Avila was carrying a loaded privately manufactured handgun, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun,” in his waistband. 

Investigators determined that Avila was not on the Ridgeway High School campus during the earlier incident and is not a student at Ridgeway High School. At this time, there is no information indicating the firearm recovered from Avila was present on the school campus during the incident.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m., the second suspect was located leaving his residence in a vehicle in Santa Rosa. Officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested him without incident.

Both 17-year-old juvenile suspects were booked into Sonoma County Juvenile Hall for:

• 243(d) PC – Battery causing serious bodily injury
• 186.22(a) PC – Participation in a criminal street gang
• 186.22(b) PC – Criminal street gang enhancement

Avila was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for:

• 25850(a) PC – Carrying a loaded firearm
• 25400(a)(1) PC – Carrying a concealed firearm within a vehicle

Chief John Cregan said, “This incident highlights the critical need for a dedicated team of gang crimes detectives who have the knowledge and expertise to comprehensively investigate acts of gang violence in our community. The Gang Crimes Team detectives are focused on four core priorities, which include education, enforcement, prevention, and intervention. This dedicated team is truly making a difference in our community as we work with the Santa Rosa Violence Prevention Partnership to reduce the likelihood of the youth in our community ever becoming involved in gang activity. This is a community-wide issue, and we must come together as a community to address it. Acts of gang violence on our school campuses are a stark reminder of the work that we all have before us.”

The quick identification and apprehension of the suspects was the result of close collaboration between Ridgeway High School staff and the Santa Rosa Police Department. School personnel responded quickly to the initial incident, provided officers and detectives with information critical to the investigation, and worked alongside responding officers to stabilize the campus and ensure students could safely return to their classrooms.

School safety is a shared responsibility and depends on strong partnerships between law enforcement, school administrators, staff, students, families, and the broader community. The Santa Rosa Police Department values our ongoing partnership with Santa Rosa City Schools and appreciates the assistance provided by Ridgeway High School staff throughout this incident and investigation. By working together and communicating quickly when safety concerns arise, we can provide a safer learning environment for students and staff throughout our community.

Santa Rosa Police Department case numbers 26-10868 and 26-10882.

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