A Petaluma man was recently arrested in connection with a shooting incident last weekend in Rohnert Park, leading authorities to suspect him of attempted murder, making criminal threats, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, according to the CBS Bay Area report. Identified as Richard Brandon Meza, the 30-year-old man underwent arrest on Wednesday, following a joint effort by the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety and the Petaluma Police Department.
The shooting occurred on Sunday at 6:45 p.m. in the 7500 block of Burton Avenue in Rohnert Park, but was not reported by the victim until the following day, as KRON4 mentioned. Investigators have now determined that the suspect, Meza, followed the victim to the location and engaged in a heated verbal confrontation with them, all the while remaining in their respective vehicles.
It was during this confrontation that Meza allegedly pointed a handgun at the victim and fired a single shot, which struck the driver's side door of the victim's vehicle, and he subsequently fled the scene, according to the same CBS Bay Area report. Although the vehicle was damaged in the incident, the victim escaped unscathed, and no other injuries were reported.
After the victim reported the shooting, authorities launched an investigation that led them to the suspect's whereabouts. On Wednesday, with assistance from the Petaluma Police Department, Rohnert Park DPS detectives finally located the suspect, his vehicle, and his handgun in the 300 block of Eastwood Drive in Petaluma. Meza was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held on a $1 million bail.
In the aftermath of the arrest, investigators continue delving deeper into the case, searching for possible motives and details about the encounter between Meza and the victim. At this time, the reasons for this confrontation and why Meza decided to follow the victim remain unclear, and the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety seeks any helpful information regarding the case. Detective Ramirez can be contacted at 707-588-3597, with reference to Case Number 23-2274.
