Suspect Shot By Sonoma State University Officer After Chase, Struggle: Police

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office says it's investigating a Sonoma State University officer-involved shooting that occurred in Cotati early Friday morning.

The incident began at about 2 a.m. in downtown Cotati the morning of May 5 as the bars were closing and numerous altercations were taking place, and according to the Sheriff's Office, Cotati Police requested assistance from Sonoma State University officers to help with the disturbances.

As officers were dealing with a disturbance near the Plaza, they were notified of a physical fight between a man and woman, according to the Sheriff's Office. Four women reported to the officers that, as they tried to break up the fight, the man pulled a gun on one of the women, pointed it at her head and threatened to kill her if they didn’t leave.

Shortly thereafter, the officers say they heard multiple gunshots in the area. They went to the area of the gunshots but weren’t able to locate the victim or suspect. They did locate four casings from a handgun and collected them.

At about 4:45 a.m. Friday morning, a Sonoma State University police officer was in the area of the 100 block of E. Cotati Ave following up on the domestic incident when he said he saw a subject walk out of a creek bed, and that he believed this was the same suspect from the previous domestic violence incident.

The officer said he attempted to contact the subject, but the suspect ran away, and so the officer ran after him and an altercation ensued where the officer used his Taser unsuccessfully. He then fired his handgun, shooting the subject twice. The subject was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery. At this time he is out of surgery but his condition is unknown. The subject is described as a 22-year-old Hispanic male.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident in accordance with the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Employee-Involved Critical Incident Protocol. This information is very preliminary. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call (707) 565-2185.

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