Petaluma Teen Accused Of Displaying Replica Gun During Large Fight

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma police arrested a 17-year-old boy Wednesday night on suspicion of displaying a replica gun and having a BB gun in public.

The boy was among 20 or so juveniles involved in a fight near the intersection of 2nd and D Street, Petaluma police Sgt. Ryan Suhrke said. A community member called the Petaluma Police Department at 5:36 p.m. Wednesday to report the large fight.

"During the fight, the reporting party observed one of the involved parties pull a handgun from his person and point it at others involved in the fight," Suhrke said.

Officers were given a description of the person with the suspected gun.

As officers began to respond, the crowd dispersed in several directions but two of the involved parties were detained inside Walnut Park.

Dispatchers then received a call from a separate community member who reported that two of the juveniles ran into a nearby restaurant and were hiding behind the business.

Officers received an updated description of the person with the gun and determined one of the juveniles who ran into the business matched the description.

Officers detained the two juveniles and found a backpack that was described by both callers. Inside the backpack, officers found a replica firearm, Suhrke said.

"The BB gun had no visible markings on it to help distinguish it from a real firearm," Suhrke said.

The person who originally called police responded to the business and positively identified the 17-year-old as the person they saw pull the gun out at the fight, Suhrke said.

The 17-year-old was later booked into Sonoma County Juvenile Hall.

"The Petaluma Police Department would like to thank the community members who called and assisted with the apprehension of the suspect in this incident," Suhrke said. "If you witnessed the incident, we ask that you contact Officer M. Andrews at 707-778-4372 or mandrews@cityofpetaluma.org."