Arrest In Brazen Street Street Corner Killing, First Of 2026: SRPD

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Police arrested a man suspected of shooting a woman on the corner of a shopping center, then walking away as she died, becoming the first homicide victim in 2026 despite efforts by bystanders, police, and medics.

Santa Rosa police arrested a 56-year-old Clearlake man on suspicion of murder after the woman was fatally shot Monday night in the 3000 block of Marlow Road.

The Santa Rosa Police dispatchers received multiple 911 calls at about 9:15 p.m. reporting gunfire in the area. As officers responded, dispatchers learned an adult woman had been struck by gunfire.

Bystanders began CPR on the woman. An officer who reached the scene minutes later continued lifesaving efforts until paramedics arrived. The woman was pronounced dead a short time later.

Santa Rosa police have not released the victim's identity pending confirmation by the Sonoma County Coroner's Office and notification of her family.

The victim had been standing near the northwest driveway of a retail shopping center when a man wearing dark clothing and a face mask approached on foot and shot her multiple times, police said.

The gunman then walked south on Marlow Road and left the area, witnesses told investigators.

Investigators identified a vehicle believed to be connected to the suspect and entered its license plate into a license plate database.

A Sonoma County sheriff's deputy tracked down the vehicle near Chanate Road and Mendocino Avenue with a half hour. Authorities stopped the vehicle and detained three people inside.

During a search of the vehicle, detectives recovered several pieces of evidence believed to be linked to the homicide, including a revolver, police said.

Investigators arrested Dwight Kestler, 56, of Clearlake, and booked him into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility on suspicion of murder and violating probation.

Police also arrested Jill Bynum, 57, of Clearlake, who was a passenger in the vehicle. She was booked on unrelated warrants and suspicion of being an accessory after the fact.

Police said the third person was not involved in the shooting and was released.

Later Tuesday, detectives served a search warrant at a residence associated with Kestler in the 3200 block of 8th Street in Clearlake. Investigators said they recovered additional evidence linking him to the killing.

Detectives continue to investigate the motive for the shooting and the relationship, if any, between the victim and the suspect.

Anyone with information, including security camera footage related to the shooting, should contact the Santa Rosa Police Department Violent Crimes Investigations Team tip line at 707-543-3590.