Man Accused Of Shooting 78-Year-Old Roommate Several Times: SRPD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A 78-year-old man suffered serious injuries early Monday morning when he was shot by his roommate, Santa Rosa police said.

The shooting was reported at 12:58 a.m. at an apartment in the 1400 block of Hendley Street, off Aston Avenue in the South Park area, according to SRPD Sgt. Kyle Philp.

The victim called police and gave dispatchers his address and said he had been shot by his roommate, Philp said. The victim also provided a description of the shooter.

At the apartment complex, officers encountered a man who matched the suspect's description so they placed him under arrest.

The 78-year-old victim was still inside the apartment, bleeding from several gunshot wounds, Philp said. Officers gave the victim medical care until an ambulance crew responded and rushed the injured man to a local hospital.

The victim was still in the hospital Monday in serious but stable condition, police said.

Philp said the investigation revealed that earlier in the evening the suspect, identified by police as Yonas Legesse, 27, of Santa Rosa, was saying things that made the victim afraid of Legesse.

The victim told police he went to his bedroom to go to sleep.

"A short time later Legesse opened the victim’s bedroom door, shined a light on the victim, and shot him several times," Philp said.

Legesse left the room and the victim called police.

Detectives from SRPD's Violent Crimes Team responded and did a search of the apartment, where they found a loaded handgun with an extended magazine, Philp said.

Legesse was taked to the Sonoma County Jail where he was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, Philp said.

Legesse's bail was set at $1 million pending a court appearance Tuesday afternoon, according to jail records.

Police said the victim’s name was not released because of the violent nature of the crime, and because the investigation was ongoing.

Police encouraged anyone who witnessed the shooting or may have additional information to call the Santa Rosa Police Violent Crimes Team at 707-543-3590 or send an email to SRPDVCI@srcity.org.