Four Arrested After Deadly Sonoma Plaza Assault Using Flock ALPR Surveillance

SONOMA VALLEY, CA — Police arrested four people today on suspicion of murder involving a 64-year-old man who died from injuries during an assault near the Italian Fountain in the Sonoma Plaza.

John Francis Avila died early Sunday, six days after officers found him unconscious on the ground, according to Sonoma Police Department Chief Brandon Cutting.

Patrol officers responded to reports of an injured person near the fountain at about 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 7.

First responders treated Avila at the scene before transporting him to a regional trauma center in critical condition.

Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office violent crimes detectives reviewed area surveillance footage, Flock license plate data, physical evidence, and witness statements.

Investigators suspect four people physically assaulted Avila leading to his death, Cutting said in a news release.

Four suspects were booked into the Sonoma County jail today.

Police identified the suspects as Cristian Vargas Collado, 20, Augustine Rossi, 20, Thomas Griego, 21, and Anthony Kirk, 28. All four are Sonoma residents, according to Cutting.

Each suspect was booked on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Police said residents and nearby merchants provided information and security footage. Investigators said the city’s Flock license plate reader technology made it possible to identify the suspects.

“Without access to our ALPR data for this criminal investigation, identification would have been delayed if not nearly impossible,” police said.

The Sonoma Police Department operates as a contract law enforcement agency under the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. Violent crime, crime scene, narcotics investigation, and property crime detectives assisted with the investigation.

The City of Sonoma, the Police Department, and the Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences to Avila’s family.

Anyone who witnessed the assault, recorded video, or has additional information should call the Sonoma Police Department at 707-996-3601.