Shooting suspects to be arraigned, police investigation continues

<p>Two Santa Rosa men, both reputed gang members with long criminal records, were to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in the shooting death outside a downtown nightclub.</p><p>Police, meanwhile, said that they were still piecing together the crime, in which Matthew Allen Toste, 32, was shot at least twice and died early Sunday at the scene, a parking garage across from the Seven Ultra Lounge.</p><p>"They are still trying to process the evidence, and I don't know which one fired the gun at this time," said Officer Lisa Banayat. Banayat said that an officer arrived at the scene within a minute of the shooting.</p><p>Paul Whiterock, 26, and Joseph Lopez Jr., 18, were arrested Sunday. They were being held without bail and are to be arraigned today in Sonoma County Superior Court.</p><p>Police declined to rerelease photos of the suspects, saying they intend to conduct lineups for witnesses and do not want to jeopardize the process. Photographs also were to be barred from court proceedings</p><p>Three men with Whiterock and Lopez were questioned, but not arrested. One of the men suffered a leg wound and is in a Santa Rosa hospital, while another suffered a grazing wound to his leg. Banayat said they are investigating whether others may have been involved.</p><p>The incident occurred on the ground floor of the Seventh Street parking garage, where Toste, his date, a female cousin and her husband were walking out towards the street and encountered the five men, who were standing in the garage.</p><p>Banayat said that Toste was shot at least twice by a semi-automatic pistol when a fist fight broke out between Toste and some of the five men, who witnesses said were harassing and grabbing the women.</p><p>The weapon has not been found, and Banayat said they are not sure whether more guns may have been involved. Toste was unarmed, she said. An autopsy was to be conducted today.</p><p>The two suspects were arrested Sunday afternoon by members of police detectives and the SWAT team at two Santa Rosa homes. Two officers injured when a flash-bang device, which is a concussion grenade that is used to stun individuals, were treated for injuries and have returned to work. A third was treated and is still off work, Banayat said.</p>