Suspected Gunman In Deadly Lake Brawl Charged With 187 PC: Sheriff

NAPA COUNTY, CA — An arrest has been made in connection with a fatal shooting Saturday at Lake Berryessa, the Napa County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday morning.

Detectives arrested Gabriel James Chavez, 25, of American Canyon on suspicion of homicide — 187 PC — in the death of Andres Fabian Sandoval Garcia, 39, of Vallejo.

Garcia was found suffering from gunshot wounds when deputies responded around 5:30 p.m. Saturday to reports of a large fight at the Oak Shores Day Use Area along the lake's western shore.

Deputies administered CPR; however, Garcia's injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead at the scene, Napa County Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Henry Wofford said.

There were no other victims in the shooting.

Detectives believe that as a large fight escalated between two groups, Chavez retrieved a gun from his car and then shot and killed Garcia.

Chavez left the scene in a car but was detained just north of the lake.

A helicopter crew then airlifted Chavez and one other patient to a local hospital for injuries suffered while being stabbed and/or punched during the fight. A third person was injured but did not require a helicopter flight, Wofford said.

The sheriff's office withheld Chavez's name until Tuesday morning for security purposes.

"Several media members inquired about this information yesterday," Wofford said. "We were unable to share the suspect’s ID yesterday, because it may have jeopardized the investigation. Before we can share the suspect’s ID with the media and public, we must have witnesses point out the suspect in a lineup. We appreciate your patience."

Chavez was scheduled to make a court appearance Tuesday afternoon.

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