Three Arrested After Nighttime Gang Shootout in Santa Rosa

On the quiet hours of August 3, just after midnight, the typically subdued streets of Santa Rosa were jolted by a burst of gunfire in the 500 block of Barhman Avenue, a spot right off Highway 101. According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, the altercation started as a heated argument in a bar parking lot and quickly escalated when someone drew a pistol and opened fire.

One unlucky bystander took the brunt of the violence, suffering a wound to the arm. Thankfully, the injury was not life‑threatening, but it was enough to set off a chain‑reaction investigation that’s still unfolding.

Fast forward to Thursday, and detectives have rounded up three men they say were involved. The first is 39‑year‑old Edward Joseph Sciutto from Rohnert Park, identified as the shooter. He was pulled over on Highway 101 later that same day and arrested on the spot. A subsequent search of his home turned up a loaded 9mm handgun and roughly half a pound of cocaine.

Next came 39‑year‑old Jose Delpalacio, a Santa Rosa resident, taken into custody at around 8:50 a.m. in an office on Corby Avenue. Police say they uncovered clothing, electronics and even packaging materials used for narcotics at his house.

Finally, 41‑year‑old Edgardo Tafoya from Windsor was booked at about 10:30 a.m. while leaving his apartment. Similar evidence—clothes and digital gear tied to the shooting—was found at his place, along with a stash of cocaine.

All three are now booked on a laundry list of charges: attempted murder, participation in a criminal street gang, assault with a firearm, conspiracy, and drug‑related offenses. Sciutto, in particular, also faces a felony for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. He’s being held without bail at the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility.

The department describes the incident as “gang‑motivated,” noting that the victim and the suspects are believed to have ties to rival street gangs. Detectives say the investigation is still active, but no additional suspects have been publicly identified yet.

While the community reels from the shock of a midnight shooting, law‑enforcement officials are urging anyone with further information to come forward, hoping to bring the entire picture into focus.