SANTA ROSA – The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office issued two press releases on Monday that recapped an incident on the outskirts of Santa Rosa. At approximately 1:45 am Monday morning, dispatchers had received multiple reports from residents about hearing gunfire in the 2300 block of Corby Avenue. None of the callers said they had seen anything, only that they had heard the sound of a gun and someone screaming and crying.
As Deputies arrived at the scene they saw five people loading a victim into a vehicle. Deputies immediately called for an ambulance as both Santa Rosa PD and the CHP also responded to assist.
The people on scene said that they were trying to take their friend to the hospital as he had suffered at least one gunshot wound. All were detained while the victim was transported to the hospital and law enforcement established a closed off perimeter.
Detectives from the Violent Crimes Investigation Unit and Crime Scene Investigation were called in to assume the case. The Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Team (MAGNET) also responded since some of those involved were determined to have gang affiliations. Additional Deputies were also called in to handle calls, since most of the patrol units in the area were committed to this major crime scene.
Details were very limited, although several people had been detained and questioned about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Two people were arrested in the process, one for an outstanding local warrant and the other for a violation of probation.
Image of the victim, Austin Deselle with his mother, as posted on a GoFundMe page to help support his family.
The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital having suffered more than one gunshot wound. He was identified as 20-year-old Austin Sargent Deselle of Santa Rosa. His family was located and informed.
The Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office asks for the assistance of the community to help solve this crime. If anyone has information pertaining to the shooting they are encouraged to call the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Tip Line at 707-565-2185 or to use the Silent Witness link on their website.
A family friend of the Deselles has established a GoFundMe page to raise money to help support the family with funeral and other expenses. Part of the tribute written for Austin Deselle reads “He was a kind, gentle man. Austin was a star player for the Blakeslee Electric softball team, playing with his dad, brother, and many good friends. He was always happy, with a smile on his face.”
