UPDATE #3: SRPD Investigating Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputy-Involved Shooting Incident 

Detectives with the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) continue to investigate the deputy-involved shooting and critical incident that occurred on March 4, 2024.  

Initial Incident 

On March 4, 2024, deputies from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) responded to reports of an adult male suspect brandishing a firearm outside of La Hacienda del Toro, a restaurant and nightclub located at 3660 Stony Point Road, in unincorporated Santa Rosa. The suspect was later identified as Jose Luis Villasenor Cervantes, a 53-year-old resident of Santa Rosa. 

The critical incident began when responding deputies arrived on scene and located Cervantes near Todd Road and Standish Avenue. Cervantes was holding an AK-47 style rifle and fired at SCSO deputies more than 50 times. Following the initial assault, the suspect led deputies on a pursuit which ended when Cervantes intentionally crashed his vehicle into a deputy’s vehicle that was parked on the shoulder of the roadway, in the 3200 block of Stony Point Road.  

As a result of the incident, four deputies were injured, one critically. Cervantes was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision by medical personnel. The SCSO invoked the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Employee-Involved Critical Incident Protocol and requested the SRPD and Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to lead an independent investigation into the events of the deputy-involved shooting.  

Detectives from the Santa Rosa Police Department’s Violent Crimes Investigations Team (VCI) continue to investigate this incident. This update intends to provide additional details about the incident and identify the deputies involved.  

Deputies Involved in the Incident & Injuries 

• Joseph Nouguier has been a deputy sheriff with the SCSO for approximately 5 years, 7 months. Deputy Nouguier was the first deputy fired upon by Cervantes.
  • Deputy Nouguier sustained a laceration to his left hand, requiring 15 sutures. The cause of the laceration is still under investigation.
  • Deputy Nouguier fired an unknown number of rounds at the suspect from his handgun during the initial response to the suspect’s gunfire. 

• James Blount has been a deputy sheriff with the SCSO for approximately 10 months. 
  • Deputy Blount suffered several projectile wounds to his lower right leg. 
  • Deputy Blount fired an unknown number of rounds from his patrol rifle and his handgun during the initial response to the suspect’s gunfire. 

• Giulia Geary has been a deputy sheriff with the SCSO for approximately 10 months. 
  • Deputy Geary was injured by shrapnel lacerating her right hand from rounds fired by the suspect. Deputy Geary also had damage to her body-worn camera and her pepper spray, both of which were worn on the chest and torso. Additional shrapnel fragments were found on the exterior of her body armor.  
  • Deputy Geary did not fire any rounds.   

• Jeannine Yebra has been a deputy sheriff with the SCSO for approximately 3 years, 7 months. Deputy Yebra was previously employed with the Sonoma County Probation Department.   
  • Deputy Yebra fired an unknown number of rounds from her handgun at the suspect during the initial response to the suspect’s gunfire.   
  • Deputy Yebra was not physically injured during the incident.

• Karl Huey has been a deputy sheriff with the SCSO for approximately 7 months.
  • Deputy Huey did not fire any rounds. 
  • Deputy Huey was not physically injured during the incident.

• Keegan Cutting has been a deputy sheriff with the SCSO for approximately 10 months.  
  • Deputy K. Cutting fired an unknown number of rounds from his handgun at the suspect during the initial response to the suspect’s gunfire. He also fired one round at the suspect in the parking lot of La Hacienda del Toro. 
  • Deputy K. Cutting was not physically injured during the incident.

• Nicholas Dellia has been a deputy sheriff with the SCSO for approximately 10 months. Deputy Dellia was previously employed by the Calistoga Police Department.  
  • Deputy Dellia suffered a significant head injury as a result of being struck by an SCSO patrol vehicle at the end of the pursuit.  
  • Cervantes intentionally drove his vehicle, head-on, into Deputy Dellia’s patrol vehicle, while Deputy Dellia was in a nearby drainage ditch. Deputy Dellia fired several rounds from his handgun at Cervantes. As the shooting was occurring, Deputy Blount arrived at the termination of the vehicle pursuit, but his vehicle struck Deputy Dellia.  
  • Deputy Dellia remains hospitalized in stable condition. The SCSO is asking the public to respect Deputy Dellia’s privacy at this time so he and his family can focus on his recovery. 

SRPD detectives are still investigating this incident to determine how many rounds Deputy Dellia fired and the cause of the collision where Deputy Dellia was struck. 

Jose Luis Villasenor Cervantes’ Cause of Death 

• The suspect, Jose Luis Villasenor Cervantes, died from injuries sustained during the collision. Cervantes’ lethal injuries were a laceration of the right atrium of the heart and a laceration of the inferior vena cava, both caused by blunt-force trauma to the chest likely caused by the impact of the collision. This determination was conducted by the Marin County Coroner’s Office. 

The exact number of rounds fired by the suspect and each deputy is still being investigated by SRPD VCI detectives. All injuries sustained by SCSO Deputies are believed to be caused by the violent actions of Cervantes. 

After the initial stages of the investigation concluded, including diagramming and collecting evidence from the scene by SRPD, detectives with the SCSO conducted a threat assessment to ensure the safety of their involved deputies and the deputies’ families following the release of their names.  

Media inquiries related to the investigation can be directed to Lieutenant Christopher Mahurin at cmahurin@srcity.org 

Media inquiries related to personnel at the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, please contact their Public Information Officer at 707-565-3941 

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***Prior Media Releases***

UPDATE #2: SRPD Investigating Sonoma County Sheriff’s Officer-Involved Shooting Incident 

 

Detectives with the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) continue to investigate the March 4, 2024, officer-involved shooting that occurred after a man with a rifle near Todd Road and Standish Avenue fired at Sonoma County Sheriff deputies. Following the initial assault on the deputies, the suspect led deputies on a pursuit which ended in a collision in the 3200 block of Stony Point Road. Four deputies were injured during this incident, one critically, and the suspect died at the scene of the collision.

 

Based on the circumstances of the incident, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) invoked the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Employee-involved Critical Incident Protocol and requested the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) and the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to lead an independent investigation into the events that led to the officer-involved shooting. The Santa Rosa Police Department’s Violent Crime Team has taken over the investigation. This update intends to provide a more comprehensive timeline of events and provide information about the cause of death of the suspect, identified earlier this week as Jose Luis Villasenor Cervantes, a 53-year-old resident of Santa Rosa.

 

On Mon. March 4, 2024, at approximately 12:10 a.m., the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call from a witness reporting a man, identified later as Cervantes, brandished a firearm in a threatening way outside of La Hacienda del Toro, a restaurant and nightclub located at 3660 Stony Point Road, in unincorporated Santa Rosa. The restaurant is located on the northeast corner of Stony Point Road and Todd Road. Another witness reported Cervantes had a rifle. Witnesses provided dispatch a description of Cervantes, including his clothing, and advised Cervantes was driving away from the restaurant in a white 4-door vehicle. At approximately 12:11 a.m., five deputies began responding to the area.

 

At approximately 12:15:03 a.m., a deputy tells dispatch via radio he believes he was behind Cervantes’ vehicle. The deputy advises the suspect vehicle had made a U-turn on Todd Road, and then began driving in circles. At approximately 12:15:28 a.m., the deputy attempts to conduct a high-risk traffic stop on the suspect vehicle in a parking lot near the intersection of Todd Road and Standish Avenue. Before the deputy can shift his patrol car into park, Cervantes exits his vehicle and immediately begins shooting at the deputy with an AK-47 style assault rifle. The deputy quickly moves his vehicle to another area of the parking lot, exits, and takes a position of cover behind his patrol vehicle. At approximately 12:15:51 a.m., the deputy advises dispatch via radio “shots fired”. Additional deputies rush to the area. 

 

At approximately 12:16 a.m., a deputy advised dispatch that Cervantes returned to his vehicle and was rummaging around the passenger area of the car. Deputies gave Cervantes multiple commands. Cervantes quickly exits the vehicle and immediately begins firing upon deputies for a second time. Four deputies returned fire. During the exchange of gunfire, three deputies were injured during this exchange of gunfire.

 

At approximately 12:18 a.m., Cervantes returns to his vehicle and flees westbound on Todd Road, with deputies in pursuit behind him. Cervantes pulls into the parking lot of La Hacienda del Toro and begins to exit the vehicle. Deputies give Cervantes commands. A deputy fires one round at Cervantes when Cervantes fails to follow commands. 

 

At approximately 12:19 a.m., Cervantes exits the parking lot and begins driving northbound on Stony Point Road. Deputies continue to pursue Cervantes. At approximately 12:20 a.m., Cervantes’ vehicle collides head-on with a SCSO patrol vehicle in the 3200 block of Stony Point Road, coming to rest at that location. A deputy fires numerous rounds at Cervantes following the collision. 

 

Additional deputies arrived at the scene of the collision, pulled Cervantes from the vehicle, and detained him in handcuffs. Deputies requested medical personnel respond to the scene to treat Cervantes and four injured deputies. Officers with the Santa Rosa Police Department responded to the scene to assist with medical aid and traffic control. Deputies and officers rendered medical aidincluding CPR to Cervantes while waiting for medical personnel. Medical personnel arrived on the scene and assessed Cervantes. Cervantes was declared deceased by medical personnel at approximately 12:30 a.m.

 

On Wed., March 6, 2024, an autopsy was conducted on Cervantes by the Marin County Coroner’s Office. The preliminary autopsy report states Cervantes suffered three notable non-life-threatening and survivable injuries and two lethal non-survivable injuries. The survivable injuries include a perforating gunshot wound to the right arm, a penetrating gunshot wound to the left knee, and a non-penetrating laceration to the right back of his head. The lethal non-survivable injuries include a laceration of the right atrium of the heart and a laceration to the inferior vena cava, both caused by blunt-force trauma to the chest likely caused by the impact of the collision. Cervantes also sustained three fractured ribs consistent with blunt-force trauma and additional chest injuries consistent with CPR. Cervantes’ official cause of death is to be determined pending toxicology results. 

 

It is estimated Cervantes fired a minimum of fifty 7.62x39mm rounds from an AK-47 at numerous deputies. Detectives are continuing to investigate the number of rounds fired.

 

Four deputies were injured during this incident. One deputy sustained a laceration to his left hand, requiring 15 sutures. A second deputy was injured by shrapnel lacerating her right hand. This same deputy had damage to her body-worn camera and her pepper spray, both of which were worn on the chest and torso. Additional shrapnel fragments were found on the exterior of her body armor. A third deputy suffered several projectile wounds to his lower right leg, possibly from a gunshot wound. A tourniquet was applied at the scene to control the bleeding from his injury. A fourth deputy remains in the hospital recovering from his injuries and detectives have been unable to speak with him.

 

Detectives with the SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations Team continue to investigate this incident. Additional information will be released as it becomes available throughout the investigation.   

 

For media inquiries, contact Sgt. Patricia Seffens at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org. 

UPDATE: SRPD Investigating Sonoma County Sheriff’s Officer-Involved Shooting 
Incident 

 

Detectives with the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) continue to investigate the March 4, 2024, officer-involved shooting

that occurred after a man with a rifle near Todd Road and Standish Avenue fired at Sonoma County Sheriff deputies. Following the initial assault on the deputies, the suspect led deputies on a

pursuit which ended in a collision in the 3200 block of Stony Point Road. Four

deputies were injured during this incident, one critically, and the suspect

died at the scene of the collision due to a yet-to-be-determined cause.  

 

SRPD detectives have identified the suspect as Jose Luis Villasenor Cervantes, a

53-year-old resident of Santa Rosa. Cervantes was in possession of an AK-47

style rifle when a deputy investigating a firearm brandishing call attempted to contact him. Cervantes exited his vehicle and immediately began firing at the deputy. The deputy was able to return fire. Additional deputies responded

to the area and were also immediately fired upon by Cervantes. It is estimated that Cervantes fired numerous 7.62x39mm rifle rounds at the deputies before returning to his vehicle and engaging the deputies in a vehicle pursuit.

 

Detectives with the SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations Team continue to investigate this incident. Additional information will

be released as it becomes available throughout the investigation.   

 

For media inquiries, contact Sgt. Patricia Seffens at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org. 

 

***ORIGINAL MESSAGE***

Headline: SRPD Investigating Sonoma County Sheriff’s Officer-Involved Shooting
Incident
 

On Mon., March 4, 2024, at approximately 12:10 a.m., the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding a male subject brandishing a firearm in unincorporated Sonoma County in the area of Stony Point Road and Todd Road. Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies were advised the suspect was possibly driving a white 4-door sedan in the area. One deputy located the vehicle as it was being driven in the Todd Road and Standish Avenue area. Less than one minute later, the deputy advised “shots fired” over the radio. The investigation is still in its preliminary stages, and we cannot confirm at this time if the suspect, the deputy, or both fired shots. A rifle, believed to be in the possession of the suspect at the time of this incident, was later recovered. The Santa Rosa Police Department, the lead investigating agency for this incident, will release specific information about the rifle later, pending a complete examination and evidence processing. 

 

The suspect then engaged the Sheriff’s deputies in a vehicle pursuit westbound on Todd Road. Approximately 10 minutes after the initial 911, the suspect’s vehicle collided with a fence in the 3200 block of Stony Point Road. It was at this location that both the suspect and deputies exchanged gunfire. The possibility of shots being fired by the suspect or deputies before the pursuit's conclusion is being investigated by detectives. Deputies with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Santa Rosa Police Department responded to the scene of the collision. They immediately began rendering medical aid to the suspect and several deputies who were injured during this incident. 

 

The suspect, an adult male, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification and is anticipated to be released tomorrow. The Santa Rosa Police Department will disclose the cause of death following an autopsy, which is scheduled for later this week.  

 

Four Sheriff’s deputies were transported to an area hospital to receive treatment for their injuries. One deputy suffered a leg injury, two deputies sustained hand injuries, and the fourth deputy suffered a significant head injury and remains in critical condition. The nature of their respective injuries is still being investigated and cannot be commented on at this time.  

 

Based on the circumstances of the incident, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office invoked the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Employee-involved Critical Incident Protocol and requested the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) and the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to lead an independent investigation into the events that led to the officer-involved shooting. The Santa Rosa Police Department’s Violent Crime Team has taken over the investigation. SRPD Field & Evidence Technicians are processing the crime scenes.  

 

Additional information will be released as it becomes available throughout the investigation.  

 

For media inquiries, contact Sgt. Patricia Seffens at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.