Man with DIY Zip Gun Brings Havoc to Sonoma: Shot by Police and Gets 21 Years

Nathan James Smart, 43, of Sonoma Valley, found himself at the center of a whirlwind of events in October 2022 when he went on a spree involving death threats, the destruction of property, and eventually an armed encounter with law enforcement according to KRON4. Fast forward to July 14, 2023, and Henry Lee KTVU shared on Twitter that Smart was sentenced to 21 years in prison after pleading no contest to assaulting a peace officer with a firearm.

The chain of events commenced with the first 911 call in October 2022, reporting Smart for making death threats against a family member and himself. However, Smart managed to evade deputies by fleeing the scene. Following this, two more 911 calls reported him for breaking the windows of vehicles and businesses, and being seen armed with a gun in Sonoma Plaza.

When deputies finally confronted Smart, he refused multiple requests to drop his weapon and instead fired at least one shot at a deputy, who then returned fire. Smart, still in possession of the gun, ran toward another deputy and raised his firearm, prompting the second deputy to shoot at him, eventually disabling him. He was left with two gunshot wounds and was transported to a hospital for treatment in critical and stable condition.

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office revealed that Smart's weapon was an unlawful homemade firearm, commonly referred to as a "zip" gun or "improvised firearm." The two deputies involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave. At the time, an independent investigation was announced to be conducted by the Santa Rosa Police Department and the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office.

(Sonoma PD)

In a turn of events, Smart has now been sentenced to 21 years in prison after pleading no contest to the charges against him. For the residents of Sonoma.