Knives Recovered In 2 Incidents At Santa Rosa Schools: Police

SANTA ROSA, CA — A gang fight involving a knife at Santa Rosa High School resulted in injuries to one student who was treated at a local hospital, while another student at Montgomery High School was arrested for having a knife on campus after the school received an anonymous tip, police said.

The first incident happened Wednesday morning near the baseball fields at Santa Rosa High School. A school administrator contacted the Santa Rosa Police Department around 10:15 a.m. to report that a student was possibly stabbed by another student.

The victim, a 14-year-old male student, called a family member to take him to a hospital. The school was not notified of the incident until the student arrived at the hospital. Staff at the hospital contacted the school, which contacted the police department.

Officers launched an investigation and learned that around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, a 16-year-old male student approached the 14-year-old victim near the baseball field and the two began arguing.

"Both parties used gang terminology during the argument," SRPD Sgt. Patricia Seffens said. "Based on the terminology used, it is believed the victim and suspect are associated with rival gangs."

The suspect and victim began fighting and the suspect brandished a large kitchen knife, pulled from his waistband, Seffens said.

"He then pushed the victim to the ground where he proceeded to make numerous stabbing and slashing motions with the knife in the direction of the victim. The victim was able to run away, and both parties fled in different directions."

The victim suffered several non-life-threatening lacerations to the left side of his torso. He was treated and released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon.

The suspect did not return to campus after the incident but detectives located him around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at his residence on West Avenue. The boy was arrested without incident as detectives served a search warrant at his home and recovered gang clothing, a lower receiver for a Polymer80 privately manufactured firearm, and a 13-inch knife that had a 7-inch blade and matched the description provided by the victim.

The suspect was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of multiple charges including assault with a deadly weapon, not a firearm; minor in possession of a handgun; possession of a knife on a school campus; and gang enhancement.

Police did not release the names or photos of the suspect or victim because of their age.

"Based on information learned during the initial investigation, we believe this is an isolated incident and the victim was specifically targeted due to his apparent gang affiliation," Seffens said. "Out of an abundance of caution, SRPD officers were stationed on the school’s campus throughout the remainder of the school day."

Concurrent Investigations

At 9:30 a.m. —shortly before the other incident was reported to police — officers were dispatched to Montgomery High School for a report of a student who possibly brought a knife to school. Numerous officers were concurrently investigating both incidents, Seffens said.

Montgomery High School contacted SRPD and advised they were actively pursuing a 14-year-old male student who fled campus when staff was attempting to search his property for the knife. Officers were en route to the campus when school staff advised dispatchers they detained the student near Hahman Drive and Patio Court.

Officers responded to the location and stood by while school staff searched the student’s backpack. A 9-inch folding knife with a blade approximately 4 inches long was found in the backpack.

During the investigation, officers learned that around 5 p.m. Tuesday, school officials received an anonymous tip on the “STOPit” app which stated the suspect had a knife in his backpack that day at school.

When the student came to school Wednesday, school staff removed him from his first-period classroom and escorted him to the office to figure out whether he had a knife.

The student refused to comply with the search and walked away from the campus, Seffens said. Staff followed the boy and detained him while they waited for police to get there.

The student, who will not be identified due to his age, was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of possession of a knife on school campus.