The man who shot at police with a homemade firearm on Saturday night — and was then shot by two different deputies — has been identified as Nathan James Smart of Sonoma Valley. Smart, 43, is in critical but stable condition at a Sacramento hospital. No one else was injured in the wild evening that began as a domestic disturbance and ended with Smart prone in the street near Sonoma Plaza.
According to a timelines released by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, it went down like this:
On Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 6:45 pm, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to the 18000-block of Clayton St, Sonoma, regarding the report of criminal threats. It was reported that the suspect may be in possession of a “ghost gun.” When deputies arrived on the scene, they learned that Smart had threatened to kill a family member and then kill himself.
Smart has prior Sonoma County felony criminal convictions for Prohibited Person Possessing a Firearm.
When deputies arrived at the residence, Smart fled the area. Deputies confirmed that Smart threatened to kill a family member, but no one had been injured. Deputies used Henry-1 (helicopter), and police K-9’s to search for Smart and also sent out a Nixle encouraging the community to shelter in place. Deputies were on the scene and searched for Smart until approximately 9:40 pm, but were unable to locate him.
At 10:00 pm, deputies were dispatched to the 200-block of West Napa Street, in the City of Sonoma, regarding an adult male suspect breaking vehicle windows in the parking lot. The suspect was identified as Smart. It was reported that Smart was breaking the windows of businesses and several parked vehicles. When the deputies arrived on the scene, they were unable to locate the suspect initially.
While on the scene, deputies were notified of a suspect with a gun in the 400-block of First Street West, on the west side of the Sonoma Plaza.
At 10:15 pm, a SCSO Deputy located Smart in a parking lot in the 100-block of West Napa St, on the south side of the roadway. Smart was holding a firearm. The deputy told Smart to drop the gun several times, but Smart refused to comply. Smart shot at a deputy at least one time. The deputy shot back at Smart, and then Smart ran south through the parking lot. Based on the initial information, it is believed that the deputy struck Smart with at least one shot.
After approximately one minute, Smart ran out of an alleyway, just east of the parking lot he was initially contacted in. Smart was still holding a firearm and was running in the direction of deputies. While running at deputies, Smart raised his firearm toward a second deputy. The second deputy shot at Smart, and then Smart fell to the ground. Deputies continued to give commands to Smart to prevent him from picking up his firearm. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were requested. Once deputies secured Smart and his firearm, they began to provide medical assistance. EMS transported Smart to a regional hospital.
Smart was using a homemade firearm when he shot at the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Deputy. The unlawful firearm is commonly referred to as an “improvised firearm” or “zip gun.” A zip gun is a genuinely crude homemade firearm that can be constructed by adopting existing materials. Zip guns can fire bullets and projectiles that can cause great bodily injury or death.
The two deputies involved in the shootings were not injured. They have both been placed on paid administrative leave. The name of the deputies and their years of service will likely be released later this week. One of the deputies involved in the shooting is assigned to the Sonoma Police Department, and the other involved deputy is assigned to the Valley Substation. One of the deputies shot at the suspect four times and one deputy shot at the suspect three times.
Based on the circumstances of the incident, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office invoked the Sonoma County Critical Incident Protocol and requested the Santa Rosa Police Department and the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to lead an independent investigation into the events that led to the officer-involved shooting. The Santa Rosa Police Department’s Violent Crime Team has taken over the investigation. SRPD Field & Evidence Technicians processed the crime scenes. At this time, it is believed that Smart is the suspect in the felony criminal threats investigation, felony vandalism investigation, and the subject with a gun on First Street West.
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