Officers Recover Loaded Firearm During Disturbance Investigation Downtown

On Friday, July 26, 2024, at approximately 6:18 pm, SRPD Officers were dispatched to a reported disturbance of peace at the Transit Mall (500 2^nd Street) in Downtown Santa Rosa.  A Sonoma County Transit bus driver reported several juveniles were challenging the bus driver to a fight after they were removed from the bus for causing a disturbance.  The juveniles were also making hand gestures that were consistent with “gang signs” at the driver.  The juveniles left the area but returned to the Transmit Mall approximately thirty-five minutes later.  Officers contacted the juveniles and saw that one of them was carrying a satchel across his chest.  The juvenile quickly tried to sling the satchel to his back.  The officer searched the juvenile for weapons and located an unregistered Smith & Wesson M&P Shield semi-automatic handgun.  The firearm was loaded with sixteen 9mm bullets in a high-capacity magazine.  The juvenile was also found to be in possession of “brass” knuckles in his pants pocket.

Due to age, the juvenile’s name will not be released. The juvenile was booked into Juvenile Justice Center on the following felony charges:

25850(a) PC- Possession of a loaded firearm in public.
25850(c)(3) PC- Possession of a firearm while acting as a participant in a criminal street gang. 
25850(c)(6) PC- Possession of an unregistered loaded firearm.
29610(a) PC- Possession of a firearm as a minor.
21810 PC- Possession of metal knuckles
415(1)/186.22(a) PC- Challenge to fight in a public place while participating in a criminal street gang.

SRPD case #24-9002

The Santa Rosa Police Department is committed to making the City of Santa Rosa a safe place to live, work, and play.

Media Contact:
Sgt. Brett Siwy  
bsiwy@srcity.org