Two juvenile suspects have been arrested in connection with a September 1st shooting in Novato, which occurred after an attempted robbery escalated into a violent confrontation that left one man with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The Novato Police Department (NPD), in a post shared on social media, reported that the arrest involved the Marin Regional Crisis Response Unit at a residence in northern Novato, detaining a 16-year-old suspect. Simultaneously, a 17-year-old was taken into custody by the West Sacramento Police and Yolo County Probation.
The incident, which took place on Third St near Grant Ave around 9:15 PM, began when three men were approached by two masked individuals who demanded money and inquired about the victims' gang affiliations. As detailed in the Novato Police Department's social media update, the situation quickly devolved when the victims tried to escape quickly, resulting in a struggle. One of the victims, in an act of self-defense, stabbed one of the assailants, who then proceeded to shoot, grazing the side of the victim's head.
Shortly after the shooting, a local hospital alerted the police to a young male with a stab wound, which ultimately allowed detectives to connect the injured party to the earlier incident, leading to today's arrests. According to the same NPD statement, the suspects, both minors, face charges including attempted murder, conspiracy, and participation in a criminal street gang, and have been booked into Marin County Juvenile Hall.
NPD officials encourage anyone with information or surveillance footage about the incident to come forward. As reported by Hoodline, potential witnesses can contact the Novato Police by calling 415-897-4361 or via email at [email protected], referencing Case number 25-2185.
