Yesterday, a brawl involving nearly two dozen youths, believed to be affiliated with local gangs, broke out at the Santa Rosa Transit Mall. Santa Rosa Police swiftly responded, resulting in the arrest of three 15-year-olds and the recovery of a concealed firearm. The incident, which took place on Thursday, sent SRPD officers scrambling to the scene at about 4:30 pm amid reports of the group flashing gang signs and shouting affiliations, according to a Facebook post by the Santa Rosa Police Department.

The melee, which had sent bystanders into a panic, witnessed one youth brandishing a handgun, and others took off running as law enforcement arrived. The SRPD, already on foot patrol in the area, chased down the suspects—including one with a "ghost gun" and another with a knife—to a local retail store where they were attempting to hide. These actions come as Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan sets a stern focus on undercutting gang violence through multiple channels such as education, prevention, and direct intervention.

The significant reduction in escalation during Thursday's incident is credited in part to the vigilant eyes of community members, who according to Lt. Christopher Mahurin, provided "the information needed to safely apprehend the suspects."

The youths involved in the melee face a range of charges, including participation in a criminal street gang and carrying concealed unregistered firearms.