Santa Rosa Homicide Suspects Arrested

SANTA ROSA, CA — UPDATED: Two men suspected of fatally stabbing a man during a fight in Santa Rosa Wednesday evening have been arrested in Tracy — about 100 miles southeast of Santa Rosa — police Lt. John Cregan said this afternoon.

The suspects have been identified as Johnny Luis Martinez, 20, and Gabriel Cardin Heredia, 25, both of Santa Rosa. Police have not identified the victim.

The stabbing occurred during a fight in the 1200 block of Slater Street. Police responded around 7:45 p.m.

The victim was driven by someone to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Santa Rosa. He was transferred to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he died, police said.

The suspects fled in a vehicle believed to be a white Chevrolet Equinox with a California license plate 6YZM739, police said.

"Santa Rosa Police Detectives worked with allied agencies to search for the suspects and vehicle throughout the night," officials with the Santa Rosa Police Department said Thursday afternoon. "This morning, around 10:30 am, the suspect vehicle was spotted traveling South on Highway 580. California Highway Patrol Officers stopped the vehicle and detained the suspects without incident until they were turned over to Santa Rosa Police Violent Crimes Investigations Detectives."

Police said the suspects and vehicle were processed for evidence and they are being transported back to Sonoma County where they will be booked in jail on suspicion of murder.

By Bay City News Service; Patch local editor Maggie Avants contributed to this report.

Suspect photos via Santa Rosa Police Department; Background image by Maggie Avants/Patch