Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 11/19/07

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant Diana Gomez

MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES FILED IN SANTA ROSA SHOOTINGS

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that his office has filed murder and attempted murder charges against Javier Pena for the November 12, 2007 shooting at Bill’s Market in Santa Rosa and on the November 13, 2007 shooting at a private residence in Santa Rosa.

"Our hearts go out to the victims and their entire families," said District Attorney Passalacqua. In court today the Honorable Ken Gnoss read the charges against defendant Javier Pena of Windsor. The case has been continued for entry of plea until November 28, 2007.

The alleged charges are murder with the special circumstance that the killing of Gurdip Singh on November 12, 2007 occurred during the commission of a robbery and that the defendant used and discharged a firearm. The defendant is also accused of the premeditated and attempted murder of Sarbjeet Singh during that same crime. Allegations that Sarbjeet Singh suffered great bodily injury, paralysis and that he personally discharged a firearm were also alleged. In addition to the charges that relate to the shootings at Bill’s Market, Javier Pena was also charged with the premeditated and attempted murder of Manoj Shresthe which occurred on November 13, 2007 at Mr. Shresthe’s home. Allegations that Manoj Shresthe suffered great bodily injury and that Pena personally discharged a firearm during the commission of this crime were also charged.

Three prior prison terms, including a prior strike conviction have been alleged. The maximum penalty for the murder charge is Life Without Parole plus 150 years to life on the gun use allegations against the three victims.