Suspect in fatal shooting during fight at Lake Berryessa identified

The suspect in a fatal shooting that followed a large brawl at Lake Berryessa over the weekend was identified Tuesday morning.

The Napa County Sheriff's Office said Gabriel James Chavez, 25, was arrested north of the lake following the incident and airlifted to a hospital with unknown injuries. Chavez, an American Canyon resident, has since been arrested and charged with murder and was expected to appear in court later Tuesday.

The sheriff's office said it could not release Chavez's identity until Tuesday because it could have compromised the investigation because witnesses still needed to point him out during a lineup.

Saturday afternoon's shooting was preceded by a fight between two groups of people at the Oak Shores day-use area on the west side of the lake. Police arriving at the “chaotic” scene at the lakeside Oak Shores day-use area found several people injured, including a man who had been shot.

The man who was shot was identified as Andres Fabian Sandoval Garcia, 39, of Vallejo. He died at the scene despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures administered by officers, the sheriff's office said. Three other people were injured after being stabbed or beaten, including Chavez.

According to detectives, during the fight, Chavez went to his vehicle to retrieve a gun and shoot Garcia. He then fled but was arrested shortly afterwards.

The Sheriff's Office urged any witnesses or people with information about the incident to contact the office at (707) 253-4504.