3 Petaluma Teens Charged In Homicide Case: Prosecutors

PETALUMA, CA — Three Petaluma teens were charged after a deadly stabbing in San Rafael, prosecutors said Tuesday.

One suspect has been charged with murder and an enhancement for using a knife, prosecutors with the Marin County District Attorney’s Office said. The other teens have been charged with inflicting great bodily injury.

Police reported that on Dec. 17 and Dec. 18, the three suspects were located and arrested in Petaluma. They have been booked into Marin County Juvenile Hall on homicide charges.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, the stabbing occurred on Mill and Hoag streets in the residential Canal neighborhood of San Rafael. The San Rafael Police Department, referring to the individuals as juveniles, did not disclose the ages of the suspects or provide a reason for the incident.

According to SRPD Lieutenant Scott Eberle, emergency calls began coming in about a 44-year-old man, later identified as Jason James Lee, who had been stabbed in the chest. Police were able to locate him quickly with the aid of a police drone, the department reported.

He died at the hospital, police said.

The motive for the stabbing is still under investigation by police, who have not excluded the possibility of gang involvement.

SRPD officers said they believe that all suspects involved in this incident are now in custody.

Police said this was San Rafael's first homicide of 2025.

Anyone with information can call (415) 485-3000.