A peaceful day at Lake Berryessa in California turned grim as a violent altercation at the Oak Shores Day Use Area resulted in one fatality and several injuries last Saturday, June 8.
The Napa County Sheriff’s Office reported the incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. near the popular recreational spot, situated just over 60 miles west of Sacramento.
The victim, identified as 39-year-old Andres Fabian Sandoval Garcia from Vallejo, California, succumbed to a gunshot wound at the scene despite efforts by deputies to save him. “By the time we arrived, it wasn’t a brawl; there were victims, stabbed victims and a gunshot victim. It was pretty chaotic,” said Henry Wofford, spokesperson for the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.
The brawl, which drew in at least two different groups of people, escalated when one of the participants retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and fatally shot Garcia. In the chaos that ensued, three other individuals sustained injuries — two from stabbing and one from physical assault. The seriously wounded were airlifted to local hospitals, with one already released as of Sunday.
The shooter, who was also injured in the melee, was apprehended just north of the lake and is currently detained in the hospital. The sheriff’s office has yet to release his name, citing ongoing hospital treatment and investigation security. “While that suspect/patient is still hospitalized and is improving, because they’re not booked yet and for the security of the hospital and the deputies detaining at the hospital, we’re not releasing the name of that person or that hospital,” Wofford explained.
This incident has deeply shaken the community, which frequents Lake Berryessa for its serene environment ideal for family outings and nature activities. The day-use area, known for its picnic grounds and scenic views, was bustling with visitors enjoying the warm weather when the altercation broke out.
The Napa County Major Crimes Task Force, including various local law enforcement agencies, is actively investigating the circumstances that led to the brawl. Authorities have called for witnesses or anyone with video evidence to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation. “We’re in the infancy stage of this investigation,” added Wofford, emphasizing the complexity of the case.
As the community reels from this violent incident, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office continues to piece together the events that led up to the tragic shooting. They hope to provide closure to the families affected and ensure safety in the area, reinforcing that such violence shakes the foundation of the community built around Lake Berryessa.