Two teenagers arrested for ‘possible’ shooting, gang activity at Montgomery High School

On Friday, 9/22/23 at approximately 12:30 am, the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call from an agent with “STOP!t Solutions” reporting a person sent an anonymous tip through their smartphone app regarding a potential shooting at Montgomery High School.

The tip stated it was believed that at least two students were planning on bringing a firearm to campus on the morning of 9/22/23 to harm an unidentified student possibly from a different school, and that the involved students were affiliated with a criminal street gang.

The tipster was able to provide enough information through the app that an astute SRPD officer was able to immediately identify one of the involved students based on a previous interaction during which the student was arrested for possession of a concealed, loaded handgun in a city park on 7/4/23.

As a result of the prior arrest, the student was placed on probation which requires him to submit to warrantless search and seizure. School officials immediately began working with SRPD officers to verify student information and residence location.

At approximately 2:55 am, a team of SRPD officers responded to the 1100-block of Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, to contact the involved student and conduct a probation search.

Both the student and another Montgomery High School Student were contacted inside of the residence.

During the search of the residence, officers located a loaded .38 Special revolver with an altered serial number and numerous articles of clothing and accessories commonly associated with gang affiliation.

Based on the officers’ investigation, it was determined both juveniles were gang participants, and both were in possession of the firearm for the purpose of promoting or benefitting the criminal street gang.

Student #1, a 15-year-old Santa Rosa resident, was arrested and booked into juvenile hall for the following:

• 725 WI – Felony violation of juvenile probation
• 23900 PC – Felony altering of a firearm serial number
• 29610(a) PC – Felony possession of a firearm by a mino
• 29650 PC – Felony possession of ammunition by a minor
• 25850(c)(6) PC – Felony possession of an unregistered firearm
• 186.22(a) PC – Felony participation in a criminal street gang
• 186.22(b)(1) PC – Felony promotion or benefit for a criminal street gang

Student #2, a 15-year-old Santa Rosa resident, was arrested and booked into juvenile hall for the following:

• 23900 PC – Felony altering of a firearm serial number
• 29610(a) PC – Felony possession of a firearm by a minor
• 29650 PC – Felony possession of ammunition by a minor
• 25850(c)(6) PC – Felony possession of an unregistered firearm
• 186.22(a) PC – Felony participation in a criminal street gang
• 186.22(b)(1) PC – Felony promotion or benefit for a criminal street gang

School officials continued working with officers throughout the night and into the morning until both the school and police department were confident the threat had been mitigated. It is not believed there was ever a threat of an active shooter on campus.

We do not believe there are any outstanding suspects in this incident.

The Santa Rosa Police Department is thankful for the swift response and cooperation from Santa Rosa City Schools and Montgomery High School officials.

SRPD also wishes to commend the person who submitted the anonymous tip through the STOP!t app. If it were not for that information, these students could have put many students and faculty members at risk by bringing a firearm onto a school campus.

Parents and students are reminded to contact the police department, school administrators, or a trusted adult on campus if they have information about a potential crime or campus safety concern.

For emergencies, please dial 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, please call 707-528-5222. Additionally, the STOP!t app for smartphones allows for fast and anonymous reporting of incidents by students to their school administrators.