New Charges Filed Against Prime Suspect in January Gang Shooting in Novato

Novato police believe they have enough evidence for attempted murder charges on a jailed man who was the key suspect in a in Novato.

Armando Gil, 26, in Rohnert Park on outstanding felony warrants for rape, unlawful intercourse with a minor, brandishing a firearm and making criminal threats. Those charges were unrelated to the Jan. 3 shooting of two men outside a Safeway store at Hamilton Marketplace shopping center in Novato. In all, there were seven previous counts against Gil tied to the earlier incidents.

Gil, one of three people arrested so far for the shooting, was not arraigned on attempted murder charges and other counts sought by Novato police while he was jailed on the warrant arrests. On Monday morning, Gil was served with the new felony counts of attempted murder, use of a deadly weapon, participation in a criminal street gang and enhancement/street gang activity, according to a police release.

“A fuller investigation was done since he was already being held,” Novato police Sgt. Jim Tross said Monday.

Gil has to be arraigned within 48 hours of his arrest, Tross said. His bail on the attempted murder count was set at $1 million.

Gil, whose occupation was listed as laborer on the booking log, was considered armed and dangerous during the five weeks between the shooting and his arrest outside an apartment complex in Rohnert Park. Investigators said they believed he and other suspects fled the Safeway parking lot in Hamilton after the two men were shot as they sat in a white Toyota Corolla.

The shooting victims were identified as a 23-year-old San Jose resident and a 27-year-old San Rafael resident. The extent of their injuries was not provided to the media.

A 22-year-old Novato woman and 17-year-old boy were arrested in connection with the shooting. , was detained about 40 minutes after the shooting at her home in the San Marin area of Novato. May 26 in downtown San Rafael. Both face attempted murder charges.