A 77-year-old Rohnert Park man was hospitalized with serious yet non life-threatening injuries after he was shot twice by his estranged brother-in-law late Saturday morning.
Rohnert Park police said in a statement that Nevada resident Gerald Jacinth, 75, parked his black Dodge car across the street from the victim’s house wearing an over the head mask resembling President Donald Trump, a white long curly beard and a Santa hat, then made his way up the victim’s driveway.
Jacinth approached the victim while holding a small present in his hand as well as a duffle-bag slung around his arm, and tried to give the present to the victim.
However, after the victim claimed not to recognize Jacinth and refused the gift, there was an exchange of words before Jacinth raised the duffle bag and shot the victim one time. As the victim retreated toward his house, he was shot a second time.
Jacinth then fled the scene, but was found by responding officers just minutes later in his vehicle and was arrested without incident.
The victim, whose name was not released Saturday, was transported to a local hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. Officials credit witnesses on the scene for performing life saving measures.
In the initial report to police, the caller said a suspicious package was located on the victim’s driveway. The area was then cordoned off and police urged residents to shelter in place.
The Sonoma County Sheriff Explosive Ordinance Disposal team responded to render the device safe, and after an evaluation, it was deemed to be a towel wrapped in the box.
Jacinth was booked into the Sonoma County Jail for attempted murder.
