Full Notification

Santa Rosa Police previously released the following Nixle report on Monday May 14th about the shooting at the Jolly Wash Car Wash on Sunday. We wanted to make sure this release reached everyone in the Sonoma Valley area. The Nixle with photos can be seen on our Facebook site. All witnesses are asked to contact SRPD:  

Detectives from the Santa Rosa Police Department have continued the investigation into the shooting at the Jolly Washer Car Wash in the City of Sonoma. A total of seventeen witnesses and three deputies were interviewed. The witness statements, the body worn camera footage, and the surveillance footage from the Jolly Washer Car Wash have given investigators a clear understanding of what occurred.

The evidence demonstrates that Ryan Pritel pulled a loaded 9 MM handgun from his waistband as three uniformed deputies approached him. Pritel fired one gunshot, and struck one of the approaching deputies in the upper body. The deputy, who was struck by the round, returned two shots. The suspect quickly hid behind a stopped pickup truck, and both deputy’s rounds struck the pickup truck. No one was injured by the deputy’s bullets.

The 9 MM handgun that Pritel fired had a high capacity 20-round magazine. (See attached photograph). The magazine was loaded with a combination of 9 MM full metal jacketed rounds and 9 MM snake rounds. The suspect had a second loaded magazine in his pant’s pocket that contained a combination of the same rounds.

The deputy who was shot and injured has been released from the hospital, and is expected to fully recover from his injuries.

The suspect, Ryan Pritel, is being held at the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility with a bail set at $1,000,000. (See attached booking photograph)

Santa Rosa Police Department detectives learned that Ryan Pritel works at the Jolly Washer Car Wash, and that he lived nearby in the 800 block of Third Street West in the City of Sonoma. Detectives served a search warrant at the residence seeking evidence related to the attempted murder of the deputy.

Detectives are actively seeking assistance from anyone who may have witnessed or recorded any actions leading up to and after the deputies’ contact with Pritel. We are also seeking information regarding any prior contacts with Ryan Pritel in the weeks leading up to this incident. We encourage anyone who has information which may assist the detectives to contact the Santa Rosa Police Department at (707) 543-3590.

Additional press releases will be sent when more information becomes available. All press inquiries regarding the investigation will be handled by the Santa Rosa Police Department. Any questions regarding this incident should be directed to Lieutenant John Cregan at (707) 543-4070 or [email protected]