Napa Police Department Responds to Double Homicide and Swiftly Apprehends Suspect
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“Case Number: Napa Police Department NPD24004102
Incident Date/Time: 09/26/2024 at 9:45 AM
Incident Location: 700 Block of Lincoln Avenue, Napa, California
Incident Type: Double Homicide Investigation
Victim #1: Adult Female, Napa, California
Victim #2: Adult Male, American Canyon, California
Suspect: Baltazar Rangel Juarez 28-year-old Napa resident- IN CUSTODY
Charges: Two counts of 187(a) PC – Murder Arrest Date/Time: 09/26/2024, 5:00 PM
Background:
On September 26, 2024, at approximately 9:45 AM, Napa Central Dispatch received a report of a shooting in the 700 Block of Lincoln Avenue, Napa, California. When Napa Police Department Patrol Officers arrived, they located an adult female victim and an adult male victim, outside of a residence, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Napa Police Officers and Emergency Medical personnel responded to the scene and began life saving efforts. Both Victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Napa Major Crimes Task Force was activated and investigators began working diligently on the case and identified the suspect, within hours.
At approximately 1:30 P.M., a Napa PD Officer observed the person responsible for the murders driving a vehicle, near the intersection of Juarez and 2nd Street, in Napa. The Officer activated their police vehicle’s emergency lights and sirens to conduct a car stop. The suspect disregarded the emergency lights and siren and instead fled from multiple officers, eventually driving his vehicle into Kennedy Park, where it became disabled.
Members of both the Napa Police Department and Napa Sheriff’s Office responded to the suspect’s location within Kennedy Park to take him into custody. The suspect refused to exit the vehicle and instead armed himself with a firearm, refusing the officer’s instructions to exit and surrender. Multiple attempts were made to have the suspect disarm himself and exit the vehicle. The suspect continuously refused to surrender and ultimately suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Medical aid was provided to the suspect at the scene, and he was taken into custody. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Due to formalities in the investigation, we will not release the names of the victims until their identities are confirmed by the Napa Sheriff’s Office Coroner.
The investigation thus far has shown this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Call for Action:
This is still an active homicide investigation. While we have made an arrest, we still want to speak with witnesses and collect any digital evidence that citizens may have. The Napa Police Department is encouraging anyone who may be a witness, has photographic or video surveillance, or who has additional information to contact Detective Dustin Dodd at (707) 257-9568 or ddodd@cityofnapa.org.
Napa, CA- On 9/26/24 at approximately 9:45 AM, Napa Central Dispatch received a report of a shooting in the 700 Block of Lincoln Avenue, Napa. Napa PD Officers arrived on scene and located an adult female victim and an adult male victim, outside of a residence, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began rendering aid, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Paramedics responded to the scene and rendered aid as well. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders and medical personnel, the victims were pronounced deceased at the scene. Earlier today, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office Coroner confirmed the identify of both victims. The victims were identified as. Georgina Padilla, a 38-year-old Napa, CA resident. Ralph Andino III, a 54-year-old American Canyon, CA resident. The suspect, Baltazar Rangel Juarez, remains in the hospital. We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of Georgina and Ralph. This tragic loss not only impacts those closest to them but also reverberates throughout our community. Members of the Napa Police Department would like to thank our community for their assistance and patience while we identified, located, and apprehended the suspect in this case. We have worked around the clock to conduct this investigation and could not have done it without the assistance of the Napa Major Crimes Team, Napa Sheriff’s Office, Napa Special Investigations Bureau, Napa Fire Department and the Napa County District Attorney’s Office.”