Police shoot armed vandal suspect on downtown Sonoma street, no other injuries

A suspected vandal who fired on police with a handgun was shot by police Saturday night on the 200-block of West Spain in Sonoma. The adult male suspect, reported to be in his 40s and a resident of Sonoma Valley, is in critical condition in a Sacramento area hospital.

No deputies, bystanders and/or residents were injured in the incident.

Deputies from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspect breaking or smashing windows around the Sonoma Marketplace Shopping center about 10pm October 15, 2022. About 10:15 pm, a second call reported that the suspect had a handgun.

According to the Sheriffs Department, a deputy located the suspect in a parking lot in the 100-block of West Napa St, on the south side of the roadway. The suspect was armed with a firearm. The deputy told the suspect to drop the gun several times, but the suspect refused to comply. The suspect shot at a deputy at least one time.

The deputy shot back at the suspect, but the suspect ran south through the parking lot. Based on the initial information, it is believed the deputy struck the suspect with at least one shot.

After approximately one minute, the suspect ran out of an alleyway, just east of the parking lot he was initially seen. The suspect still had a firearm in his hand and was running in the direction of deputies. A second deputy shot the suspect and the suspect fell to the ground. Deputies continued to give commands to the suspect to prevent him from picking up his firearm.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were requested. Once deputies secured the suspect and his firearm, they began provided medical assistance to the suspect. EMS transported the suspect to a regional hospital.

“I know that no police officer ever wants to discharge their service weapon in the line of duty,” said City of Sonoma Mayor, Jack Ding. “This is a rare and significant event for our City, and I am grateful for the diligence of law enforcement for their response and investigation of this tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the suspect’s family, the Sonoma County police officers involved, their families and our community.”

The Sonoma County Critical Incident Protocol was invoked as is the policy for any police involved shooting, and the Santa Rosa Police Department and the Sonoma County DA’s Office are conducting an independent criminal investigation of the incident. The Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards Bureau will be conducting an administrative investigation of the incident. All inquiries should be directed to the Santa Rosa Police Department.

The City is aware that a video taken during the incident is circulating on social media. Sonoma Police Chief Orlando Rodriguez has reviewed the video, said “Please know that this video was taken by an independent bystander and does not show the totality of the circumstances. This investigation is in its early stages, please be patient and allow the Santa Rosa Police Department and the Sonoma County District’s Attorney to complete their investigation of this incident so the public can and will be better informed.”