1 dead and several stabbed

SAN FRANCISCO – A male suspect was arrested Sunday in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred during a Northern California lakefront brawl that left several people with stab wounds at a popular recreation spot.

Authorities said the suspect, whose name was not released, was one of two stabbing victims who were flown by helicopter to a hospital after the altercation Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of Lake Berryessa, a recreational area about 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of San Francisco known for activities such as boating, swimming, fishing and hiking.

The deceased person was identified as Andres Fabian Sandoval Garcia, 39, of Vallejo, Calif. The second person flown by helicopter was released from the hospital on Sunday, said spokesman Henry Wofford of the Napa County Sheriff’s Office. Others injured in the scuffle were taken by car to medical care.

Wofford said a deputy responded to a 911 call and found two groups involved in a fight in different parts of the parking lot. He administered CPR to the shooting victim but was unable to save him.

“This fight involved people using broken bottles to stab others,” Wofford said. “When (the deputy) got there, he said the scene was in complete chaos. There was no way a deputy could have stopped that many people from fighting.”

Investigation of a fatal scuffle

Wofford said many of the fighters left before police backup arrived, and some of the witnesses interviewed gave different versions of what caused the altercation, while others refused to talk. The first officer to arrive was focused on the shooting victim and had no idea how many fighters were involved, Wofford said.

Investigators are asking for more witnesses to provide information, particularly videos that could shed light on what happened and who the perpetrator was. Wofford said they are confident they have the suspected shooter, who will be arrested after he is released from the hospital.

Although many people have drowned in the past, rectangular Lake Berryessa, the county’s largest lake, attracts over half a million visitors annually to its shores, waters and islands. It lies east of some of Napa Valley’s world-famous wineries.

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