**CASE UPDATE** 

Identity of Hoen Avenue homicide victim confirmed 

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, at approximately 9:24 pm, the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a disturbance that led to one person being stabbed and another person shot inside of a residence in the 4300 block of Hoen Avenue. Upon arriving at the home, SRPD officers located an adult male who had been stabbed in the leg and an unresponsive adult male suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the neck. The man with the stab wound was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment. The gunshot victim was pronounced deceased by emergency medical personnel at the scene.  

Devin McKenzie, the 23-year-old resident of the Hoen Avenue home, had suffered a stab wound to his left leg during this incident. Following being treated and released from the hospital for his stab wound, McKenzie was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail for one count of murder, per 187 PC. McKenzie is currently being held without bail. 

The Sonoma County Coroner has identified the deceased victim as Benjamin Adair, a 20-year-old resident of Hidden Valley.  

The motive and circumstances are still being investigated by the SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations Team (VCI). Additional details may be released as they become available. If you have any information about this incident, you are encouraged to call the SRPD VCI tipline at 707-543-3590. 

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 25-1044. 

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

**ORIGINAL MESSAGE** 

Dispute between friends leads to deadly shooting

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, at approximately 9:24 pm, the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a disturbance that led to one person being stabbed and another person shot inside of a residence in the 4300 block of Hoen Avenue. Upon arriving at the home, SRPD officers located an adult male who had been stabbed in the leg and an unresponsive adult male suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the neck. Officers immediately began providing medical aid to both men, including performing CPR on the unresponsive gunshot victim until emergency medical personnel arrived.  

The man with the stab wound was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment. The gunshot victim was pronounced deceased by emergency medical personnel at the scene.  

Detectives with the SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations Team (VCI) responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. During the preliminary investigation, detectives learned the two men were friends and had engaged in an argument. The argument turned into a physical altercation. During the altercation, Devin McKenzie, the 23-year-old resident of the Hoen Avenue home, produced a handgun and shot the 20-year-old male victim at least one time. McKenzie suffered a stab wound to his left leg during this incident. Detectives recovered a knife and firearm at the scene believed to have been used in this incident. 

Following being treated and released from the hospital for his stab wound, McKenzie was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail for one count of murder, per 187 PC. McKenzie is currently being held without bail.  

The name of the victim will not be released until his identity can be confirmed and an autopsy is completed by the Sonoma County Coroner. The exact circumstances and motivation behind the incident are still being actively investigated. More information may be released at a later time when it becomes available.  

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 25-1044. 

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