Sonoma Deputy Shot At Car Wash Identified, Is 'Recovering Well'

SONOMA, CA — A Sonoma County sheriff’s deputy who was shot Sunday when he responded to a call about at Jolly Washer car wash/76 gas station was identified Thursday by the Sonoma Police Department as Deputy Mike Matelli. The six-year law enforcement veteran suffered multiple gunshot wounds when he and two fellow deputies assigned responded to the business in the 19200 block of state Highway 12 at about 11 a.m. Sunday to a report of an employee who was acting strangely and was armed with what appeared to be a BB gun.

Matelli was shot by the employee, suffering injuries to "multiple locations on his body," Sonoma police Chief Bret Sackett said in a news release Thursday.

"This was due to the fact the suspect used a snake shot round, a bullet that contains numerous pellets instead of a single bullet," Sackett said.

The employee, identified as 20-year-old Sonoma man Ryan Pritel, is being held in lieu of $1-million bail on suspicion of the attempted murder of Matelli.

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"The evidence demonstrates that Ryan Pritel pulled a loaded 9-mm handgun from his waistband as three uniformed deputies approached him," said police Lt. John Cregan, of the Santa Rosa Police Department, which has been tasked with investigating the shooting.

"Pritel fired one gunshot, and struck one of the approaching deputies in the upper body," Cregan said. "The deputy, who was struck by the round, returned two shots. The suspect quickly hid behind a stopped pickup truck, and both deputy's rounds struck the pickup truck. No one was injured by the deputy's bullets."

Matelli was rushed to the hospital but has since been released and is "recovering well," according to Sackett.

"He thanks the community for the outpouring of support," Sackett said.

Matelli has served with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office for four years; prior to that, he served two years at the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety.

Also on Thursday, Sackett identified Deputy Greg Hals and Deputy Mike Schemmel as the Sonoma Police Department personnel who responded to the call alongside Matelli.

Hals has more than 11 years of experience as a deputy with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, Sackett said.

Schemmel is a 16-year veteran of law enforcement. He's served with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office for four years; prior to that, he served 12 years with the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

Sackett said the three deputies have been on paid administrative since the incident and "are doing well given this traumatic situation."

"We have had tremendous community support and the Sheriff’s Office family appreciates all the community concern," Sackett said.

The Santa Rosa Police Department is still investigating the incident and is asking anyone with pertinent information to call detectives at 707-543-3590.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• Teen Suspect Shoots At Sonoma Deputy, Sheriff Says
• Sonoma Car Wash Employee Held For Attempted Murder Of Deputy

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