It was Sunday night in Santa Rosa, about 11 pm, September 21. A 40-year-old man was at the corner of Santa Rosa Avenue and Colgan, just outside of the America’s Best Value Inn. He told police later that he was just waiting to cross the street, when a young man with a knife ran up and attacked, saying he was going to kill him. The attacker shouted gang-related threats as well. The man fought back, and managed to escape major injuries as he battled the attacker.
Ultimately the older man was able to pin the assailant to the ground, forcing him to drop the knife as well. Not finished, the young man resorted to spitting on his intended victim, who got up and ran away. He told police he did not know the man who assaulted him, according to a Santa Rosa PD press release.
Meanwhile, the fight on the street was loud enough to gain the attention of one of the tenants at the nearby motel. The man heard the threat to kill, and gang related statements. He shouted at them from his window to “Settle Down!”, which elicited a response of profanity, gang calls, and “I’ll shoot you!”, apparently from the attacker. The man called police to report the disturbance, and gave descriptions of the men involved.
Police quickly arrived on scene, and located the victim, who gave them his statement. Another officer proceeded down Colgan Avenue towards the apartment buildings. He found a young man matching the description of the attacker, and attempted to detain him for questioning. The young man, who was later identified as Jesus Farias-Hopper, 18, did not cooperate with the officer, pulling away from him. At that time, two women got out of a truck nearby and approached them.
The officer warned to pair to stay back, but one said “He’s my boyfriend!” and continued to approach. The officer called for emergency backup, while continuing to struggle with Farias-Hopper, who began to spit on him as well. The women retreated to the truck and began to leave, but the arriving officers prevented that. They were not arrested, however, but Farias-Hopper was finally handcuffed. The earlier victim was able to make an identification of Farias as his attacker, and was released to get treatment for his wounds at a local hospital. They expect a full recovery.
Jesus Farias-Hopper was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon with a gang enhancement, assault on an officer, and resisting arrest. He was booked into Sonoma County jail.
