Suspect in Hamilton Gang Shooting Arrested in Rohnert Park

said they have arrested the key suspect in the Jan. 3 gang-related shooting at y that left two men injured.

Novato resident Armando Gil, 26, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Rohnert Park by officers from Novato police, San Rafael police and the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, Novato police Lt. Dave Jeffries said.

“I’m told the arrest happened very quickly and involved a number of plain-clothes officers,” Jeffries said. “I imagine he was apprehended before he really knew what was going on around him.”

Gil was taken into custody at the McDouall Apartments in the 7300 block of College View Drive on Rohnert Park’s south side, just north of Cotati. He was arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder, four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, participation in a criminal street gang and the use of false citizenship documents. 

Also, Gil is on a felony hold as his immigration status is checked, according to the Marin County Jail booking log.

In addition, Gil was served with three arrest warrants on counts of rape, criminal threats and brandishing from cases unrelated to the Jan. 3 incident. In all, there were seven previous counts tied to the earlier incidents.

Novato police are continuing to seek other suspects in the shooting.

Gil, whose occupation was listed as laborer on the booking log, was considered armed and dangerous during the time he was sought by police. Investigators said they believe 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. As of a week ago, one of the men had been released from the hospital — it was not released which one — and the other is being treated for his wounds, Novato police said.

One of the suspects, Alessandra Marie Coyle, 22, of Novato, was arrested about 40 minutes after the 12:13 a.m. shooting on Jan. 3. She was taken into custody when her car was found on San Andreas Drive in the San Marin neighborhood, about seven miles from the site of the shooting. Police said they do not believe she pulled a trigger.

Coyle is being held at Marin County Jail and faces two counts of attempted murder and two counts of participating in gang activity. She faces 25 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Gil’s arrest warrant related to a sexual assault that took place in Novato in 2006. His bail on that charge is $250,000.

Five members of Novato police were involved in the arrest Sunday, with Sgt. Keith Heiden serving as incident commander. Heiden has been the unit supervisor on the case.

Jeffries said the investigations team — which he led earlier in his career — spent a lot of time searching for Gil.

“To be able to take him off the street not only with this case but the three other cases that led to the warrants for his arrest is the result of a lot of hard work,” he said. “To hit this milestone is very satisfying. It’s one of those moments when all those involved can feel good about the work they’ve been doing.”