Cemetery Worker Accused In Shooting, Had Brass Knuckles, Baton: SRPD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A groundskeeper at a Santa Rosa cemetery was arrested Saturday on suspicion of a shooting at the cemetery, police said.

The incident started around 7:15 a.m. Saturday when officers were sent to investigate a report of a shot being fired in Franklin Cemetery, Santa Rosa police Lt. Christopher Mahurin said.

Officers located the reporting party and victim. They also found a crime scene with a 9mm shell casing left behind, Mahurin said.

The victim told police he was talking on his cell phone when he was approached by a man on a bicycle. The man was wearing a blue work uniform and a black beanie cap and appeared to be a cemetery employee.

The employee who was later identified as Alejandro Guerrero-Barragan, a 29-year-old Santa Rosa resident, confronted the victim about "people yelling on his property" and demanded the victim leave, police said.

It is alleged that Guerrero-Barragan then pulled a gun from his waistband, pointed it at the victim, and again demanded he leave.

"Guerrero-Barragan then pointed the firearm down and fired a round that struck the ground a few feet away from the victim," Mahruin said. "The victim left the scene, and the suspect was seen riding his bike eastbound on the cemetery grounds."

Officers found Guerrero-Barragan on the north side of the cemetery just next to Evelyn Drive. He had on a blue work uniform and a black beanie, and stated he was a grounds caretaker of Franklin Cemetery, Mahurin said.

Guerrero-Barragan was detained and interviewed while officers did an extensive search for the gun.

The gun was not found, however, based on the investigation and the evidence, Mahurin said, Guerrero-Barragan was arrested and booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of brass knuckles, possession of a dirk or dagger, and possession of a collapsible baton.

A search of jail records on Tuesday indicated Guerrero-Barragan was no longer in custody.