16-year-old boy shot during gang-related fight

On Monday, January 13, 2025, at approximately 4:32 pm, the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Communications Center received numerous 911 calls advising of a gunshot victim in the 2400 block of Pawnee Street. Callers reported seeing one subject on the ground following the shooting, and two males running west on Pawnee Street. The first officers arriving on scene tended to the victim, noting the 16-year-old male victim had been shot at least twice in the legs. The officers continued rendering aid, including applying tourniquets to each leg. The victim was transported via ambulance to an area hospital to receive treatment for the gunshot wounds.  

Witnesses continued to provide officers and dispatchers with information about the suspects’ direction of travel and physical description, to include the fact they were seen running toward Comstock Middle School at 2750 W. Steele Lane. An SRPD sergeant responding to the scene observed two young males fitting the description of the suspects jogging south along the east fence line of the school. The sergeant drove his patrol car toward the suspects, and both began running away at a faster pace. While running away, one of the suspects reached toward his waistband and held his right hand at his waistband while continuing to run. It was later determined this suspect had a concealed firearm, dropped while running from the police. The sergeant was able to close distance on the suspects, giving them instructions to surrender. One of the suspects complied and surrendered to the sergeant. At about 4:37 pm, five minutes after the 911 call, the sergeant detained this suspect without incident. The suspect was detained in the grassy area near the front of the school. This suspect also had a small pocketknife at the time of his detention. 

Another officer responding to the sergeant’s location pursued the second suspect on foot as the suspect ran into the quad area. This suspect was determined to be the one in possession of the firearm. As the officer chased the suspect, he saw the firearm with an ejected magazine on the ground in the area where the suspect had just run past. Video recovered following this incident shows the suspect attempting to throw the gun onto the roof of the school campus. The officer continued to yell commands to the suspect to surrender. Eventually, the suspect stopped running and surrendered just south of the quad. This suspect was detained without incident at 4:39 pm.  

At the time of this incident, many soccer games were occurring in the athletic fields, and children and staff were present for after-school programs at Comstock Middle School and nearby James Monroe Elementary School. Out of an abundance of caution, Santa Rosa City Schools implemented lockdown procedures. The lockdowns were lifted at approximately 4:45 pm.  

Both suspects were identified as 16-year-old male residents of Santa Rosa, both with known gang associations. Detectives with the SRPD Gang Crimes Team responded to the hospital and scene to assume the investigation. Based on their investigation, detectives believe the two suspects saw the victim on Northcoast Street, just south of Pawnee Street, and assumed he was associated with a rival street gang. The victim was challenged to fight, and the three juveniles began fighting. During the fight, one of the suspects produced the handgun and fired numerous rounds at the victim, striking him twice, possibly three times. Six bullet casings were located at the scene. The victim sustained one gunshot wound to one leg and possibly two gunshot wounds to the other leg. The wounds were non-life-threatening and at the time of this release, the victim was still hospitalized in stable condition. 

The recovered firearm is a .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun and was determined to be stolen from a different state.   

The two 16-year-old suspects, both Santa Rosa residents, were arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall for the following charges: 

664/187 PC – Attempted murder 

186.22(a) PC – Gang participant 

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

25850(c)(6) PC – Carry loaded firearm in public 

496 PC – Possession of a stolen firearm 

148(a)(1) PC – Resist and delay arrest 

777 WI – Juvenile warrant 

The SRPD Gang Crimes Team (GCT) was reinstated in 2023, due to an increase in gang-related violence and following a long absence caused by staffing shortages. GCT has four key priorities: prevention, intervention, education, and enforcement. Additionally, GCT provides a crucial bridge for those in need of community resources.    

In just their first year, GCT has seized 82 illegal firearms, 19 of which were assault rifles. The team works closely with the Violence Prevention Partnership (VPP), .RJ Diversion Opportunity for Transformation Program, and other nonprofit organizations to help expedite services to those most vulnerable in the community, specifically juveniles. In 2024, GCT referred more than 25 juveniles to restorative programs.  

The SRPD GCT is continuing to investigate this incident. Anyone with information, including audio or video recordings, is encouraged to call the SRPD Gang Crimes Tipline at 707-543-4021.  

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 25-550. 

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