“On March 8th, 2022, at approximately 10:46 pm, Chico Police Officers responded to 915 Main Street (Liquor Bank) on a report of a physical fight and a shot being fired. As units were responding to the scene, officers learned the shooting suspects were associated with a white Chevy Equinox.
Officers noticed that getaway vehicle traveling eastbound on E. 9th Street and began traveling southbound on Highway 99. Multiple police units began following the suspect vehicle and a high-risk traffic stop was conducted in the parking lot of the AMPM (2000 Business Lane). As the vehicle came to a stop, a passenger threw a gun out of a window and immediately ran on foot from the car.
Officers who were trailing the suspect vehicle immediately chased after the suspect – taking him into custody behind Red Robin (2010 Business Lane). This subject was identified as Darion Sandoval (27-year-old, Yuba City resident).
A High-risk traffic stop was conducted, and three occupants were detained. The passenger, Santos Castillo (31-year-old, Marysville resident) was detained as well as Leonela Ramos (36-yar-old, Oroville resident). During the investigation, it was determined that Santos fired two rounds from his handgun in the air after witnessing a fight between Castillo and an unknown transient.
After the shooting and fight, they drove eastbound on E. 9th and southbound on Highway 99 when they were stopped by Chico Police. Sandoval decided to flee the vehicle leaving Ramos and Castillo behind. All three were detained without incident. During a search of the vehicle, a loaded 45 caliber semi-automatic handgun and a .22 caliber revolver in the rear passenger seating area of the Chevy.
A witness from the shooting was then able to identify Castillo as the shooter. Ramos was ultimately arrested for several outstanding felony warrants while Castillo was arrested for 29800(a)(1) PC – (Felon in Possession of a Firearm), 30305(a)(1) PC – (Felon in Possession of Ammunition), 3056 PC – (Parole Violation), and 246.3 PC – (Willful Discharge of a Firearm). Additionally, Sandoval was arrested for 148 (a)(1) PC – (Resisting and Obstructing), 29800(a)(1) PC – (Felon in Possession of a firearm), and 30305(a)(1) PC – (Felon in Possession of Ammunition).
It was learned that no subjects were shot during the incident and the transient subject that Castillo was fighting was contacted and expressed no desire to cooperate with the investigation. The investigation is on-going.”
