Four juveniles arrested following gang-motivated stabbing at bus stop 

On April 16, 2025, at approximately 8:20 am, the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) received a 911 call regarding a victim who had been stabbed in the area of Boyd Street and Hickory Circle. SRPD officers and medical personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. As officers were arriving on-scene, they witnessed the victim, a 15-year-old male resident of Santa Rosa resident, fall to the ground as a result of his injuries. It was discovered the victim had several significant wounds and was bleeding heavily from a a puncture wound to his chest. As paramedics were arriving on-scene, patrol officers rendered first aid, including applying a chest seal to the victim. In addition to the stab wound, the victim sustained significant lacerations to his wrist, head, and neck. The victim was transported to an area hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries. 

Officers conducted an initial investigation at the scene and learned a vehicle containing 4 or 5 male suspects arrived and confronted the victim and his 15-year-old male friend, as they were waiting at a City bus stop on Boyd Street. The suspects threatened the boys and yelled gang-related challenges. The four suspects accosted the victims and tried to rob them of their property. Several of the suspects were reported to have been brandishing knives at the victims during the robbery. A physical confrontation ensued during the struggle over the property, and at one point, the victim was stabbed. The suspects then got back into the vehicle and fled the scene. A witness was able to provide a description of the suspect vehicle and provide dispatch with the license plate number. This information was relayed to responding officers and detectives who began searching the area. It was also learned that the suspect vehicle was a reported stolen vehicle. 

At approximately 8:59 am a detective with the SRPD Gang Crimes Team located the suspects’ vehicle parked and unoccupied in the 2900 block of Bay Village Circle. Additional detectives and uniformed officers went to the area and began surveillance of the car.  At approximately 9:54 am, detective observed three males exit a nearby apartment and get into the suspect vehicle.  Officer in marked SRPD patrol vehicles responded and approached the parked vehicle in an effort to detain the three suspects.  Upon arrival of the patrol units, one of the suspects fled from the vehicle and a foot pursuit ensued.  The suspect was apprehended and taken into custody without incident.  

As officers attempted to detain the remaining two suspects at the vehicle, a second suspect ran from the vehicle. The suspect refused to comply with numerous commands from the pursuing officer to submit to arrest. Because the suspect was involved in an extremely violent crime, it was believed he posed a significant threat to public safety. The officer deployed his Electronic Control Device (ECD), commonly referred to by the brand name “Taser.” ECDs are intended to instantly and temporarily incapacitate an individual by delivering an electric shock. The initial ECD deployment was unsuccessful. The officer deployed the ECD a second time, with positive results. The suspect was detained without further incident and did not sustain any injuries during his arrest. As per SRPD policy, the suspect was medically cleared following the ECD deployment. 

All three suspects were subsequently taken into custody.  A search of the suspect’s vehicle located a knife believed to have been used in this incident and an article of clothing belonging to one of the victims. One of the juvenile suspects was found to be in possession of three folding knives of various sizes at the time of his arrest. A total of four knives were recovered from the vehicle. 

As the investigation progressed a fourth suspect was identified and apprehended, without incident, at another location.  

The four suspects were arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall for the following charges:  

664/187 PC Attempted Murder 

211 PC Robbery 

496D(a)PC Possession Stolen Vehicle 

186.22(a)PC Participant in Street Gang 

186.22(b)(1) PC Gang Enhancement.   

Three of the suspects, ages 15,15, and 16 are all Santa Rosa residents, and one suspect, a 15-year-old male, is a resident of Sonoma. Their names will not be released as they are juveniles. 

The stabbing victim in this case was treated for serious injuries and admitted to the hospital for continued care. The second victim of the robbery did not sustain any injuries. There is no evidence to support that either victim is a gang participant or associate.  

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 25-4388. 

Media inquiries can be made to Sgt. Travis Menke at 707-543-4021 or tmenke@srcity.org.