Three Arrested, Including Teen, in Gang-Related Sonoma Gas Station Stabbing

Sonoma, CA – A targeted act of violence at a local gas station in late March has culminated in the arrests of three individuals, including a juvenile, on serious charges including attempted murder and gang enhancements. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has confirmed the apprehension of two Santa Rosa men and a 17-year-old in connection with a brutal stabbing that left a 26-year-old man with multiple wounds.

The harrowing incident unfolded on March 27, when deputies from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 100 block of Riverside Drive in Sonoma following reports of a stabbing.

Responding officers found the victim suffering from significant injuries, who was then rushed to a local hospital. Fortunately, his condition was stabilized, and he is expected to recover.

Investigators quickly identified the attack as a targeted, gang-related assault. Through a meticulous investigation involving the Violent Crimes Unit, Narcotics Detectives, and Gang Crimes detectives, law enforcement pieced together crucial evidence.

This included reviewing surveillance footage from the gas station, interviewing witnesses, and following leads derived from descriptions of the suspect vehicle.

The intensive probe led authorities to identify three suspects. The first arrest, a 17-year-old male from Santa Rosa, occurred on March 29.

He faces charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and gang enhancements. The investigation continued relentlessly, leading to the subsequent arrests on April 3 of 24-year-old Eduardo Garcia Mendoza and 24-year-old Juan Carlos Hernandez, both also from Santa Rosa.

Mendoza and Hernandez have been booked into custody on the same severe charges as the juvenile: attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and gang enhancements.

The swift and coordinated efforts of multiple units within the Sheriff's Office underscore their commitment to addressing gang-related violence and ensuring public safety in Sonoma County.

All three suspects remain in custody as the legal process moves forward, bringing a measure of justice to the victim and the Sonoma community rattled by this violent episode.