Napa Police Search For Suspect In Shooting

NAPA, CA — The police activity Tuesday morning on Old Sonoma Road in Napa was related to a shooting investigation, a lieutenant with the Napa Police Department says. Shortly after 6 a.m., SWAT officers with the Napa Police Department and Napa County Sheriff’s Office served search warrants at two apartments in the 2400 block of Old Sonoma Road, Napa police Lt. Gary Pitkin said.

The warrants were served in the police department's efforts to locate 19-year-old Napa resident Jesus Malverde Cruz Avila, a local gang member who is wanted in connection with a shooting Monday night, Pitkin said.

Cruz Avila was not located Tuesday and remained at large as of noon, according to police.

The shooting was reported at 10:24 p.m. Monday outside of a business in the 600 block of Soscol Avenue in Napa. When officers arrived, the suspect and two victims were gone. A short time later, staff at Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Napa contacted police and reported a patient arrived seeking medical attention for a gunshot wound, Pitkin said.

The victim was treated and later released from the hospital.

"Police learned the second victim escaped injury," Pitkin said. "As the investigation unfolded, officers determined the shooting was gang related."

Investigators identified Cruz Avila as the suspect in the shooting, which led to the service of the warrants Tuesday morning. During the service of the warrants, the Napa Police Department sent Nixle alerts advising the public to avoid Old Sonoma Road between Foster Road and Freeway Drive.

Because the police activity was near Harvest Middle School, 2449 Old Sonoma Road, police advised school staff and had school resource officers on campus for student safety.

"Cruz Avila was not at either apartment and remains outstanding," Pitkin said. "He is believed to be armed with the gun used in the attempted homicides. Anyone who sees Jesus Cruz Avila is asked to call 911."

Cruz Avila is 5-feet-8 inches tall, weighs 165 pounds and has black hair and black eyes.

Cruz Avila is wanted on suspicion of attempted homicide, assault with a firearm, negligent discharge of a firearm and gang enhancements, Pitkin said.

Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information about the case or Cruz Avila's whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Kevin Skillings of Napa PD's Special Enforcement Unit at 707-257-9466 or KSkillings@cityofnapa.org.

Or, community members can send anonymous tips to the Napa Police Department by texting the word 707NPD and the tip information to 847411 (tip411). Reference Case #20-1271.