Petaluma police arrest teen accused of firing weapon near Cherry Valley School

Petaluma police have arrested a teenager on suspicion of committing four felonies, including robbery, possession of a deadly weapon and felony assault with a deadly weapon, as well as negligent discharge of a firearm.

According to a news release issued Tuesday, a shooting was reported at about 4:30 p.m. Monday in the 1000 block of Cherry Street next to Cherry Valley Elementary School. Officers responded to the scene, which reportedly involved two vehicles whose drivers sped away.

They discovered a single shell casing and other evidence and determined no one had been struck by the bullet.

While the department’s investigations unit processed the scene – and patrol officers searched the area for a “brown SUV” – a person described as a “juvenile victim” came forward to provide evidence that helped them identify a 15-year-old suspect.

Detectives and officers took the suspect into custody Tuesday evening and later served a search warrant at his home, according to Petaluma police. The teen’s name was not released because he is a minor.

The investigation is ongoing, but police said the shooting “appears to be an isolated incident and not a random act of violence.”

Authorities did not release details about what prompted the other charges against the teen, including felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony robbery.

You can reach Staff Writer Kathleen Coates at 707-521-5209 or kathleen.coates@pressdemocrat.com.