Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 09/29/2009

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Terry Menshek - (707) 565-3098 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

New Charges Filed in April South Park Murder

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that as a result of continuing and cooperative investigation by the Santa Rosa Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office, murder charges have been filed against Fernando Mendoza, 21 years old, of Santa Rosa, in the killing of Luis Suarez, 18 years old, on April 6, 2009, in South Park. Mr. Mendoza has been charged with first degree murder, with special allegations related to benefiting a criminal street gang and personal use of a firearm. He will be arraigned on the murder charge on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 9.

District Attorney Passalacqua stated, “Our office and the Santa Rosa Police Department consider not only incriminating evidence, but exonerating evidence, as well. When new evidence surfaced, we jointly investigated it thoroughly, resulting in not only the dismissal of a murder charge against one person but the issuance of an arrest warrant on the person we believe is responsible.”

On April 6, 2009, Luis Suarez was shot and killed in Santa Rosa. The investigation initially focused on a 17-year-old juvenile, who sent incriminating text messages to a third party claiming that he committed the murder of Mr. Suarez. While initially charged as an adult with the murder, the juvenile’s murder charges were dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office on September 23, 2009, after new evidence was discovered and investigated. This new evidence led to further investigation culminating in an arrest warrant for Mr. Mendoza. The juvenile is facing related charges which are now pending in juvenile court. Under California state law, the names of the minors and the juvenile proceedings are confidential and cannot be disclosed to the public.

Santa Rosa Police Detective Brad Connors and Sergeant Steve Fraga of the Violent Crimes Investigation Team have been leading the investigation of this matter. Deputy District Attorney Troye Shaffer is the prosecutor assigned to the case.