Accused Sonoma Car Wash Shooter To Get Mental Health Eval

SONOMA, CA — Criminal proceedings were suspended this afternoon against a Sonoma man charged with the attempted shooting murder of a sheriff's deputy last weekend pending a mental competence evaluation. Ryan Joseph Pritel, 20, was arraigned in Sonoma County Superior Court. A doctor's preliminary exam Wednesday questioned whether Pritel is mentally competent to understand and participate in the legal proceedings, and Judge Jamie Thistlethwaite ordered another evaluation by a doctor and suspended further proceedings.

The doctor's report is due June 7 and a hearing on Pritel's competence is scheduled for June 13. He is being held in Sonoma County Jail under $1 million bail.

Pritel is charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon and having a loaded gun in public.

He brought a 9mm handgun to the Jolly Washer/76 gas station and car wash at 19249 state Highway 12 in Sonoma on Sunday where he worked, his attorney Sonoma County Public Defender Kathleen Pozzi said after the hearing this afternoon.

When Sonoma police responded around 11 a.m., Pritel allegedly fired a round that struck Deputy Mike Matelli in the chest, according to Santa Rosa police, the agency investigating the case.

The handgun contained 9mm full metal-jacketed rounds and 9mm "snake shot" rounds comprised of pellets. Matelli was struck by the snake shot, police said.

Matelli fired two shots at Pritel, who hid behind a pickup truck at the car wash. Both shots struck the truck, and neither Pritel nor a man inside the truck was hit, according to police.

Matelli was treated at a hospital and released. He has six years experience, four with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office and two with the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety.

Two other deputies who responded to the scene are Greg Hals and Mike Schemmel. All three deputies are assigned to the Sonoma Police Department and are now on paid administrative leave.

Pozzi said she believes Pritel suffers from a mental health disorder.

• Sonoma Deputy Shot At Car Wash Identified, Is 'Recovering Well'

By Bay City News Service

Mugshot courtesy Santa Rosa Police Department