A Santa Rosa Police Department officer shot a man during a confrontation in the St. Rose neighborhood north of downtown Santa Rosa on the morning of March 12, 2026.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. near the intersection of 10th Street and Washington Street while a photojournalist from The Press Democrat was participating in a ride-along with the officer.
According to the photojournalist’s account and video footage described in media reports, the officer initially approached a man who appeared to be homeless in order to conduct a wellness check. During that encounter, the man allegedly became aggressive, leading to a confrontation that escalated to the use of force.
Police officials later confirmed that the man sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital. Authorities have not publicly released the individual’s name.
Sequence of Events Captured on Video
Footage recorded by the ride-along photojournalist reportedly shows the interaction between the officer and the man prior to the shooting.
According to the description of the footage:
- The officer is seen backing away from the man with a stun gun pointed toward him.
- The man continues walking toward the officer with his arms spread outward.
- The officer deploys the stun gun, reportedly possibly twice.
- The man then turns and begins walking away while the officer follows at an estimated distance of about 20 feet.
- The man stops, turns back toward the officer, and continues approaching with his arms extended outward.
- The officer continues backing away, instructs the man to stop, and warns that she will shoot.
- The officer then fires her weapon.
Authorities have not publicly released the full body camera footage or additional video evidence as of Thursday.
Police Confirmation of the Shooting
Police officials confirmed the shooting later in the day.
Dan Marincik stated that an officer-involved shooting occurred following a confrontation with the man. Officials said the individual was transported to a hospital with injuries described as life-threatening.
The officer involved has not been publicly identified.
According to Christopher Mahurin, officers involved in shootings are typically placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation is conducted.
Mahurin stated that investigators will conduct a threat assessment before publicly releasing the officer’s name.
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Investigation and Oversight
The investigation into the shooting has been assigned to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office as a third-party agency.
Officials said there was no timeline available Thursday for when the investigation might be completed.
Juan Valencia, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, said investigators were expected to remain at the scene through Thursday evening as evidence collection continued.
Scene Description
The shooting occurred along the northern edge of a church parking lot near the southern boundary of a residential area that leads toward downtown Santa Rosa.
Police closed off a section of the neighborhood while investigators processed the scene.
The closure included areas bordered by:
- Morgan Street to the west
- B Street to the east
- Klute Street to the north
Residents who live inside the restricted area were escorted by officers to access their homes.
The neighborhood has limited traffic, with the western portion backing up to U.S. Highway 101. The nearest major road, Mendocino Avenue, lies roughly two blocks to the east.
Witness Accounts
Video captured by the ride-along photojournalist documented at least part of the encounter between the officer and the man.
Another witness offered a different account of events.
Robert Lidden, who told The Press Democrat that he and the man both lived on the streets and had recently stayed in the St. Rose neighborhood, said the man was shot while attempting to flee.
Lidden stated his friend was shot twice while running from the officer.
Officials have not confirmed those claims, and investigators have not released additional evidence regarding the circumstances leading to the shooting.
Previous Police Activity in the Area
The St. Rose neighborhood has experienced prior police activity in recent months.
In August 2025, officers surrounded a residence on A Street while investigating a report of a man barricaded inside a home. Authorities reported that no arrests were made in that incident.
Santa Rosa’s most recent officer-involved shooting before this week occurred on Aug. 14, when a law enforcement officer shot a 20-year-old man who had barricaded himself inside a home on Keegan Drive following a reported domestic violence incident. The outcome of that investigation was not immediately available Thursday.
Current Status
As of March 12, 2026:
- The man who was shot remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
- Authorities have not publicly released his identity.
- The officer involved has not been identified.
- The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an independent investigation.
- No determination regarding the use of force has been announced.
FAQ
Why was a photojournalist present during the incident?
A photojournalist from The Press Democrat was participating in a ride-along with the officer at the time of the encounter. Ride-alongs are sometimes arranged to allow journalists to observe police operations.
Has body camera footage been released?
Authorities have not released body camera footage or other official video recordings as of the latest public updates.
Will the officer’s name be released?
According to Santa Rosa police officials, an internal threat assessment is typically conducted before an officer’s identity is released, which usually occurs within 24 to 48 hours after the incident.
Who is investigating the shooting?
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office has been assigned as the third-party agency responsible for investigating the officer-involved shooting.
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