Man Shot In Face While Driving In The Bay Area: Police

SANTA ROSA, CA — A man was shot in the face while driving his car Wednesday in Santa Rosa, and a reward of up to $2,500 is available for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible, police said.

The victim, a 20-year-old male resident of Santa Rosa, walked into an area hospital around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday and reported he was shot while driving eastbound in the 900 block of Sunset Avenue, off West Avenue in Santa Rosa in the vicinity of several apartment complexes.

"An unidentified person fired at least two rounds into the partially open driver's side window, striking him at least once in the face," Santa Rosa police Sgt. Patricia Seffens said. "It is unknown if the suspect was in a vehicle at the time of the shooting."

The victim pulled off the road and his front-seat passenger took over driving and took the victim directly to a hospital.

SRPD's Violent Crimes Team and Gang Investigations Team both responded to investigate the shooting, which was considered an attempted homicide. Preliminary information garnered by detectives led them to believe the shooting was gang-related and there was no outstanding risk to the community.

As of noon Thursday, a suspect had not been identified, and because of the ongoing investigation, Seffens said, the names or other identifying information related to the victim or his passenger will not be released.

Seffens said Thursday that the relationship between the suspects and the victim, if any, was still being investigated, and there was no description of the suspects or any related vehicles at this time.

SRPD Gang Crimes Team detectives would like to speak with anyone who has information potentially related to this incident. Call the SRPD Gang Crimes Team at 707-543-4021 or submit information through SRPD's online Tip Line: www.srcity.org/CrimeTips.

The $2,500 reward is offered by the Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement through the Safety Rewards Fund.