Stabbing, several injured in gang fight at Monte Rio beach

A large fight involving gang members at a busy Russian River beach resulted in at least one stabbing and several people getting hit in the head with bottles, with at least five people sent to hospitals, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Monday.

Saturday evening’s donnybrook at the Monte Rio beach involved 16 people believed to be in rival street gangs, sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Crum said  Monday.

A 19-year-old Santa Rosa man stabbed in the chest was expected to survive, Crum said. Four others had cuts and gashes, mainly from being hit with bottles, Monte Rio Fire Chief Steve Baxman said.

The fight apparently started when one group began yelling gang terms, provoking another group at the beach. Deputies were called about 6:40 p.m. for a fight involving knives, sticks, bottles and cans as weapons, Crum said.

Deputies arrested a 17-year-old Petaluma resident on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon - a wine bottle - and a 16-year-old Santa Rosa youth on suspicion of battery, Crum said.

Detectives were called to the beach Saturday and on Monday the investigation continued, including reviewing cellphone videos of some of the fighting, and interviewing witnesses. Not everyone was cooperating, Crum said.

Baxman, who lives near the beach, said he arrived to see the fight still going at the popular recreation spot.

“People were fighting and chasing each other,” said Baxman. “Pickups and cars were flying out of there in all directions as we were pulling in.”

Two ambulances responded, initially treating two victims. “Then another victim walked up, then another victim,” the chief said, describing men with bloody faces and hands seeking medical help.

Four people were taken by ambulance to multiple hospitals for injuries including head, face and hand cuts and gashes, Baxman said.

The victim of the stabbing was taken to the hospital by private car.

Four victims were from Santa Rosa and one from San Francisco. All were men between the ages 19-55.

You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 707-521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com.