Full Notification

On March 28, 2018, at about 2150 hrs, deputies from the Sonoma Police Department and the Sheriff’s Sonoma Valley substation were dispatched to a suspicious person in a mobile home park on Ramon Street in the city of Sonoma.  Several park residents called to report a male subject was yelling, breaking glass, and slamming into things.  While in route, other callers reported the subject was naked and punching out decorative street lamps with his bare hands.
 
The deputies located the subject in the street near the entrance to the park.   The subject was large, naked, non-compliant, and moving towards them.  The deputies deployed their Tasers and struggled to handcuff him.  The subject continued to resist and was placed into maximum restraints in order to gain control.  
 
The subject went into medical distress, so the deputies immediately summoned emergency medical personnel.  The deputies removed the maximum restraints and began life-saving measures until the medics arrived.  The subject was transported to the Sonoma Valley Hospital where he later died. 
 
The name of the suspect is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.
 
The deputies were placed on administrative leave in accordance with protocol for these types of incidents.  The name of the deputies will be released at a later time.
 
Santa Rosa Police Department assumed the lead in the investigation per the Countywide Fatal Incident Protocol.  The Santa Rosa Police Department will handle additional press inquiries.
 
Prepared by Chief Bret Sackett, Sonoma Police Department
Reference:  Sonoma Police Department case 18-0000352