This morning in Santa Rosa, tragedy struck at a residence on the 1400 block of Cecilia Drive. According to a news release from the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD), officers responded around 4:30 AM to several gunshots reported in the area. As they arrived, they found the house's back gate open, leading them to discover a shattered sliding glass door at the residence's rear.
The police tried multiple times to contact anyone inside, without success. With the help of a county sheriff's deputy and an interior drone, they were able to view live footage from inside the house, which revealed a gruesome scene: a deceased dog with a gunshot wound, and another injured canine companion. In their search, SRPD officers found the body of an adult female on the stairs, fatally wounded by gunfire. No suspects were found at the location, and the firearm used has not been recovered.
The SRPD Violent Crimes Investigations Team (VCI) took charge of the case and launched a thorough investigation into the incident. "Based on information gathered by patrol officers and the VCI team’s preliminary investigation, it is believed this was a targeted incident," the SRPD indicated in their statement. Current evidence does not point to a wider threat to the community, although the suspect or suspects remain unidentified and at large.
Authorities are asking the public for any information that could be crucial to solving this case. The SRPD VCI tipline is open at 707-543-3590, and tips can also be submitted online at www.srcity.org/CrimeTips. The Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement and Safety Fund is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of the individuals involved in this senseless crime.
