Windsor police shoot, wound man

Windsor police shot and wounded a man in a shopping center parking lot Sunday night following a vehicle pursuit that began after the suspect reportedly almost ran a person over, authorities said.

The unidentified suspect, said to be in his late 40s or early 50s, was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with a single gunshot wound. His injuries did not appear life-threatening, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Crum said.

Two Windsor police officers were involved in the shooting, which occurred about 5:40 p.m. in the parking lot of a shopping center on Alden Lane, off Old Redwood Highway.

Crum could not say Sunday night how many shots were fired or whether more than one of the officers fired his service weapon.

It also was unclear whether the suspect may have been armed or what his actions were that may have led up to him being shot.

“At this point, it’s too early to say why the deputy shot, or why he felt his life was in danger,” Crum said.

Marcial Cetina, a cook at El Farolito restaurant, said he was drawn outside by the sound of what he thought were four gunshots. He said he saw the sheriff’s helicopter overhead and witnessed a deputy shocking the man with a Taser stun gun. The man fell to the ground.

Crum could not confirm Cetina’s account Sunday night.

Eleanor Blair said she was exercising inside Energy Health Club when she heard two loud noises she first thought were heavy equipment falling over.

“I’m not used to hearing gunshots,” Blair said.

She said another gym member rushed inside the building looking pale to report someone had been shot in the parking lot.

Windsor Police Chief Carlos Basurto said the incident began after someone reported being nearly run over by a motorist driving erratically on Old Redwood Highway.

An officer intercepted the vehicle near Merner Drive. The driver failed to yield, leading to a pursuit that hit speeds of 60 mph north on the highway, according to emergency dispatch.

Crum said the suspect turned around at Lakewood Drive and went to Alden Lane, where he turned into the shopping center parking lot. Seconds later, a deputy reported shots being fired.

A number of items, including what appeared to be a wallet and sunglasses, were strewn on Alden where the man went to the ground after he was shot and possibly struck with the Taser.

About 40 yards away was the silver sedan the man had been driving, its driver’s side door open.

Blair, whose car was blocked in by the sedan, said she noticed what appeared to be two booster seats in the back seat of the sedan.

The two sheriff’s deputies involved in the shooting were taken for separate interviews about the incident.

The Petaluma Police Department will be in charge of the investigation. That is standard procedure under a countywide protocol that requires outside agencies to investigate officer-involved shootings.

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 707-521-5336.