Full Notification

On July 6, 2015 at about 1:43 AM, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Dispatchers received multiple calls from residents reporting the sound of gunfire in the 2300 block of Corby Avenue, in the unincorporated area of Santa Rosa. No one reported actually seeing anything, just hearing the sound of a gun and someone screaming and crying.

Deputies responded to the area and found five people loading a victim into a car. Deputies immediately called for the ambulance that had also been summoned. Officers from the Santa Rosa Police Department and the California Highway Patrol also responded to the area to assist.

The people explained that they were trying to take their friend to the hospital as he had suffered at least one gunshot wound. They were detained while the victim was transported the hospital in an ambulance. The roadway was closed on Corby north of Hearn to Smokewood Avenue.


Detectives from the Violent Crimes Investigation and Crime Scene Investigation units were called to assume the case. MAGNET also responded since some the involved parties were determined to have gang affiliations. More Deputies were called-in to handle calls since most of patrol was committed to this major crime scene.

Several people were detained and questioned about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Details were very limited. Only one anonymous nearby resident said they thought they saw two Hispanic males dressed all in black flee the area on foot following the sound of gunfire.

During the course of the investigation, two men were arrested on charges unrelated to the shooting. Abel Driscol Lomeli, a 19 year old man from Santa Rosa was arrested for a violation of probation. He was booked into county jail and his bail was set at $1,000. Jose Ricardo Rubio-Rivas, a 31 year old man from Santa Rosa, was arrested for an outstanding local warrant. He was booked into county jail and his bail is $50,000.

The VCI Detectives are considering this a gang-related shooting. There is no one in custody for the crime. There is no suspect description.


The victim was a 20 year old man from Santa Rosa. He was pronounced dead at the hospital having suffered more than one gunshot wound. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

This is an open investigation and details will only be release when it does not interfere with the integrity of the case.

We need the assistance from the community to help solve this crime. Please come forward if you have information. You can remain anonymous. Anyone with information pertaining to this murder is encouraged to call the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Tip Line at 707-565-2185 or use our Silent Witness link on our website. http://www.sonomasheriff.org/silent-witness/

Report #150706-001

Prepared by Sergeant Cecile Focha
Media Relations / PIO