1 dead and several others stabbed

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

SAN FRANCISCO — A suspect was arrested Sunday in connection with the fatal shooting during a lakeside brawl in Northern California that also left several people stabbed at a popular recreation spot.

Authorities said the suspect, whose name was not released, was one of two stabbing victims flown to a hospital after the confrontation Saturday afternoon in the Lake Berryessa parking lot, a day-use area located approximately 75 miles (120 km) north of San Francisco, well known for activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking.

The deceased was identified as Andres Fabian Sandoval Garcia, 39, of Vallejo, California. The second person taken by helicopter was released from the hospital Sunday, said spokesman Henry Wofford of the Napa County Sheriff's Office. Others injured in the fight sought medical attention by car.

Wofford said a deputy responding to a call found two groups engaged in a large fight in different parts of the parking lot, and he administered CPR to the gunshot victim but was unable to save him.

“There were people using broken bottles to stab others in this fight,” Wofford said. “When (the deputy) arrived on scene, he said the scene was very chaotic. There was no way one deputy could stop so many people from fighting.”

Investigation into deadly melee

Wofford said a number of fighters left before law enforcement reinforcements arrived, and that some of the witnesses interviewed provided different versions of what started the altercation, while others refused to speak. The first deputy to arrive focused on the shooting victim and did not have a sense of how many fighters were involved, Wofford said.

Investigators are asking more witnesses to come forward with information, including videos, that could shed light on what happened and who instigated it. Wofford said they are confident they have the suspected shooter, who is expected to be arrested once he is released from the hospital.

Despite a history of drownings, rectangular-shaped Lake Berryessa attracts more than half a million visitors each year to its shores, waters and islands. It is the largest lake in the county, just east of some of Napa Valley's world-famous wineries.

Lina Portman

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