Gunfire erupted early Thursday morning in a Sonoma neighborhood, leaving one man injured and another in custody. Around 1:05 am, Sonoma County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call on Stony Point Rd., where they found a man with a gunshot wound. The victim said the injury resulted from an argument that escalated. He was treated at the scene and then taken to the hospital, where he is now in stable condition, per the Sonoma County Sheriff.
The search for the suspected shooter prompted a coordinated effort between the sheriff's office, CHP helicopter H-30, and the Santa Rosa Police Department's K9 unit. Despite initial difficulties in communication, the introduction of the SWAT team and the Hostage Negotiation Team eventually led to a breakthrough. After an hours-long standoff, 53-year-old James Askew of Petaluma was persuaded to surrender and was taken into custody. Askew faces a litany of charges, including felony attempted murder and weapons violations, as detailed in an official statement by the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office has encouraged anyone with information to come forward as they work to piece together the events that led to the shooting and Askew's subsequent arrest. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office at (707) 565-3941.
