An argument over a vehicle sale in Santa Rosa has escalated into violence, resulting in a shooting on Tuesday. According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, at approximately 11:42 PM, police were called to an area hospital where a 49-year-old male gunshot victim was being treated. The victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to his thigh, reported being shot in the 2300 block of Mendocino Avenue parking lot following an altercation regarding a failed car purchase.
Despite being wounded, the victim managed to receive a ride from a family member to seek medical attention. Shortly after the shooting was reported, an officer patrolling the vicinity detained two individuals whose description matched those given by the victim. Wrapped in the man's discarded clothing, officers discovered a loaded .380 handgun.
Investigating detectives learned that the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Rohnert Park resident Robert Erickson, met with the victim's girlfriend to discuss buying her car. Unable to close the deal, Erickson became entangled in a heated exchange with the victim. Erickson then drew the handgun and shot the victim in the leg and subsequently robbed him of his cell phone before fleeing with an accompanying woman, later identified as Cole.
Erickson, with a history of felony convictions, was found in possession of additional ammunition and suspected methamphetamine upon his arrest. Charged with multiple offenses, including assault with a firearm and robbery, Erickson was booked into jail. The female companion was determined not to have participated in the shooting, according to the investigation.
The Santa Rosa Police Department reports that the victim received treatment for his wound and has since been released from the hospital.
