A Santa Rosa man was arrested Wednesday on multiple charges, including attempted murder, in connection with a shooting last summer that police said was gang-related.
On the night of August 13, the victim was driving east on Sunset Avenue when a suspect fired at least two shots through the partially opened driver’s side window. According to police, a bullet hit the victim’s face.
After the shooting, the victim stopped and had his passenger take him to the hospital, where he was treated.
Preliminary investigation indicated the shooting was gang-motivated. In the following weeks, police were able to identify a suspect and obtain arrest and search warrants.
Around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, detectives located the suspect and conducted surveillance. The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Juan Carlos Cruz of Santa Rosa, was contacted at his workplace in Windsor and taken into custody.
While he was being arrested, police said they found a loaded handgun hidden in a bag. It was not known if the weapon was the same firearm used in the shooting.
Warrants were also served at two Santa Rosa residences linked to Cruz. Police said they found ammunition in one of the homes.
Cruz was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a firearm, carrying a firearm with intent to commit a felony, carrying a concealed firearm, along with a gang enhancement.
Cruz is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, according to jail records.
