Detectives seek to identify man in photos connected to Sebastopol double slaying

Sonoma County Sheriff’s detectives released photographs Saturday of a man they hope to identify in connection with last week’s marijuana-related triple shooting near Sebastopol that left two dead and one injured.

The grainy pictures, taken by a coffee shop camera, show one of two people investigators are seeking in the Oct. 15 shooting at a house on Highway 116 South, Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Crum said. They depict a bearded African-American man who is described as about 5-foot-10 with a thin build and braided hair or dreadlocks. He is further described as having square, wire-rimmed glasses and wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans. The man is not considered a suspect in the slayings but is believed to be somehow related, Crum said.

Crum did not provide further detail of his potential role or say where the coffee shop is located.

“This person is in some way connected to the crime, we believe,” Crum said. “We need to get his name. We have been working diligently to find out who he is and can’t do it, so we’re asking for the public’s help.”

A second person, not pictured, was seen accompanying the male subject in a white Hyundai Sonata. She is described as being possibly Latino, about 5-foot-2 and “chunky.” She has a pierced right cheek and goes by the name Bonnie.

She was last seen wearing a blue, red and white-striped sweatshirt with leggings.

Crum didn’t release further details about the woman, including how detectives received her description and name. The shooting happened the night of Oct. 15 at a house in the Hessel neighborhood, south of Sebastopol.

Former Cloverdale teacher Nathan Proto, 36, and John Jessie Mariana, 28, of Guerneville were killed. The other victim, a 23-year-old woman who was shot in the head, is expected to survive.

Marijuana was being grown on the property. Detectives believe the victims were shot in a dispute over a marijuana sale.

An investigation has continued throughout the week. No arrests have been made, and the shooter or shooters remain at large.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 707-565-2185.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 707-568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.