Police suspect gang ties in downtown Petaluma stabbing

A 17-year-old suffered a serious slash to his torso and belly during a late-night altercation outside a downtown Petaluma billiards hall, police said Monday.

Detectives believe the attack may involve gang issues, Petaluma detective Sgt. Ed Crosby said Monday.

An employee at Buffalo Billiards called 911 at about 11:40 p.m. Friday to report a fight and a stabbing at the Petaluma Boulevard North business. No one remained when officers arrived. About 20 minutes later a victim turned up at Petaluma Valley Hospital needing surgery for a large diagonal slash wound across his torso.

The victim hasn’t been cooperating, Crosby said. It was unclear how the teen got to the hospital or where he lived. Crosby declined to give any information as to why gang ties were suspected. He didn’t report the violence until Monday, saying detectives were chasing leads over the weekend but needed public help Monday.

“We’re not sure if there were witnesses. We’re hoping somebody in the community may have some knowledge,” Crosby said, asking anyone with information to contact Detective Nick McGowan at 707-778-4456.

You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter@rossmannreport.