A 16-year-old has been arrested and charged in a negligent shooting incident in Santa Rosa. According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, detectives with the SRPD Gang Crimes Team made the arrest after an investigation following the March 9 incident, where a resident discovered a bullet hole in an apartment on the 1000 block of Belleville Avenue, along with interior bullet fragments. The shooting is believed to have occurred overnight and unintentionally struck the building.
The suspect, a juvenile whose name has not been released due to their age, was taken into custody at his residence on the 2000 block of Truckee Drive, where detectives served a search warrant. During the operation, authorities recovered a .40 caliber handgun with a 22-round high-capacity magazine, believed to be the weapon used in the shooting. The teen is now facing charges of willful discharge of a firearm in a negligent manner and carrying a loaded firearm in a public place. The department has emphasized the seriousness of negligent shootings for causing fear and lasting trauma within communities.
These arrests and investigations are occurring alongside SRPD's broader initiative to address teen violence and drug abuse. With the assistance of the California AB114 grant, SRPD is launching educational presentations at local high schools. Officers from the SRPD will be engaging with students, parents, and staff to discuss fentanyl abuse and prevent youth gang involvement. Additionally, community meetings are being held at various venues, including Chop’s Teen Club and events hosted by Councilwoman Natalie Rogers, to further bring awareness to these pressing issues within the local community.
