Petaluma Man Accused Of Assault With Firearm, Domestic Violence

PETALUMA, CA — A 46-year-old Petaluma man was arrested late last week after officers responded to a report of a domestic dispute and set up a perimeter around the man's residence, a Petaluma police lieutenant said. Officers first responded at about 10:37 p.m. Thursday, July 4 to a residence in the 100 block of Maria Drive where a woman reported her boyfriend, Mark James Wilson, had pointed a gun at her, according to Lt. Ed Crosby.

Officers set up a perimeter around the home and summoned the woman outside. The woman agreed and, accompanied by Wilson's mother, spoke with officers.

Police learned that Wilson and his girlfriend attended a party earlier in the evening and got into an argument when they arrived back at Wilson's residence, Crosby said. The girlfriend told officers that during the argument, Wilson got his shotgun from his room and pointed it at her.

"She grabbed the shotgun, and the two wrestled over it, rolling around on the floor," Crosby said. "Ultimately, Wilson regained control of the shotgun and went back into his room."

The shotgun was not discharged but the woman had visible injuries from the struggle over the gun, the lieutenant said.

After being interviewed by police, the woman and Wilson's mother decided to stay somewhere else for the night, Crosby said.

With assistance from Petaluma police detectives, officers conducted surveillance on Wilson’s residence throughout the evening.

The following morning, Friday, July 5, Wilson was in his vehicle leaving the home when police stopped and detained him. The shotgun was recovered from Wilson's room at that time, the lieutenant said.

Wilson was interviewed by police and later booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence, Crosby said.

Monday afternoon, jail records indicated Wilson was no longer in custody.