3 Arrests Made In Napa Double Homicide, Police Say

NAPA, CA — Three people have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting Saturday of two female victims near the Napa River, police said.

Officers with the Napa Police Department were dispatched at 8:10 p.m. Saturday to a report of a shooting in the 400 block of Riverside Drive, between Laurel and Oak streets near the Napa River. They found female victims next to the roadway, both suffering from gunshot wounds.

Officers began life-saving efforts alongside emergency medical personnel, however, one victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim was rushed to a hospital where she died from injuries suffered in the shooting.

The victims were believed to be teens or young adults but the Napa County Sheriff-Coroner's Office was still working to confirm their identities Tuesday, Napa County sheriff's Spokesperson Henry Wofford told Patch.

The next of kin have been contacted the coroner's office is not able to confirm identities until autopsies are completed, which is scheduled for Thursday. The victims are acquaintances and have familial ties to Napa, police said.

Following an investigation, police identified John Nicholson, 22, of Vallejo, as the person believed responsible for the double-fatal shooting. Around 7:30 p.m. Monday, members of the Napa Police Department SWAT team, the Napa sheriff's SWAT and Napa Special Investigation Bureau detectives went to Vallejo where they located and detained Nicholson as the primary suspect.

Around 3 a.m. Tuesday, Santa Rosa residents Jessica Whitten, 19, and Judith Adolph, 19, were arrested when Sonoma County sheriff's detectives served a warrant in Santa Rosa. Whitten and Adolph were brought back to Napa County by Napa police detectives and were booked in Napa County jail on suspicion of one count each of aiding in a felony.

Jail records showed Nicholson, Whitten and Adolph were being held without bail.

"Investigators have been working diligently on this case with the assistance of forensic specialists and community engagement," Napa police Detective Dustin Dodd said.

Police have not disclosed a suspected motive in the shooting.

"This double homicide has greatly impacted the Napa Community," Dodd said. "Members of the Napa Police Department would like to thank our community for their assistance and patience while we identified and located the responsible individuals. We have worked around the clock to conduct this investigation and could not have done it without the assistance of the Napa Major Crimes Team, Napa Sheriff’s Office, NSIB, Napa County DA’s Office, and the Sonoma Sheriff’s Office."

It was still considered an active homicide investigation, Dodd said.

"While we have made arrests, we still want to speak with witnesses and collect any digital evidence neighbors may have."

The Napa Police Department encouraged anyone who may be a witness, has photographic or video surveillance, or who has additional information to contact Dodd at 707-257-9568 or ddodd@cityofnapa.org.