On Saturday, September 3, at approximately 11:50 p.m, Officers from the Sonoma State University Police Department and City of Cotati Police Department responded to a 911 report of a stabbing in the R12 parking lot near Tuscany Village. The search for the suspect is still under investigation by local law enforcement. 

Upon arrival, Officers located a juvenile victim with a non-life threatening laceration to the arm. The victim was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and was later released. The Sonoma State Crime bulletin said, “This is an ongoing investigation, but it appears that this incident stemmed from a possible case of road rage that occurred on Old Adobe Road.”

The crime bulletin continued, “The suspect followed the victim’s vehicle, which came onto campus from E. Cotati Avenue at Cypress Way, where they drove into the R12 parking lot. The suspect exited his vehicle, approached the victim, challenged the victim to fight, and subsequently stabbed at the victim with a knife.”

Second year SSU student, Julian Finley lives in Tuscany Village and was awake when the incident occured. Finley said, “All of a sudden I saw a few cop cars with their lights on driving pretty fast down the street. Me and my roommate tried to get a better view from outside our door but we were too far out of range to see or hear anything”

Finley said, “It’s scary that something like that happened on our quiet little campus, but I’m glad to hear the victim managed to avoid any major injuries.”

The University emergency alert system sent out both a phone call and two emails to students notifying students of the assault. The first email presented an overview of the altercation and provided a simple subject and car description. A second email followed and provided more detailed information. The second email described the suspect as a 5’6’’ Hispanic male in his late 20’s or early 30’s. He has buzzed hair, a thin mustache, tattoos on his arms, and was driving an older model, Toyota Camry.

Both emails were sent out roughly around 1a.m., about an hour after the attack took place. 

The incident was addressed by SSU president Mike Lee via email. In his message, Lee said, “As someone who lives on campus, I understand how disconcerting and even frightening these incidents and alerts can be, especially in the middle of the night. But I am also extremely grateful for the expertise and experience of the Sonoma State University Police Department (SSUPD), along with additional campus emergency services”

Five days following the assault, on Sept. 8, additional information describing the suspects appearance was shared with students via email. 

The email update sent by SSU included a tip that the suspect may also have a laceration or wound near his left eye. Additionally, the report updated the suspect’s vehicle description, “The suspect fled the area in an older model, possibly 2010 or 2011, dark gray Toyota Camry heading west on E. Cotati Avenue from Cypress Drive. It is believed that there was either a white colored rosary or white shell necklace hanging from the rearview mirror.” Included in the email as well was a facial composite sketch of the suspect.

The Sonoma State Police Department encourages students to report any suspected crime, suspicious persons, or activities by calling 911 or the non-emergency line at 707-664-4444