Police identify man killed in rural Sebastopol shooting

The attack by unknown assailants who killed a Sebastopol man and critically wounded two friends at a rural Hessel area home appeared to be targeted, Sonoma County sheriff’s officials said Monday.

Investigators would not elaborate on a motive for the triple shooting. It remained unclear whether the violence was related to a marijuana garden deputies later eradicated at the property.

“It was not a random act of murder,” sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Spencer Crum said.

Nathan Proto, 36, was killed Saturday night at the Highway 116 South house near Woodworth Road. Two friends, a man and woman whose names have been withheld by investigators, were also shot and in critical condition Monday night, officials said.

Detectives made no arrests in the case two days after the gunfire broke out at the Highway 116 South house near Woodworth Road.

Detectives from all bureaus of the Sheriff’s Office had been pulled into the investigation, a whodunit with two victims under treatment for traumatic injuries and no accurate description of suspects or getaway vehicles, Crum said. Investigators have released few details in the case because “we don’t have any suspects identified,” Crum sad.

“The detectives have been working nearly around the clock since the incident occurred to develop all possible leads and comb through all possible evidence.”

Proto previously taught kindergarten, according to a 2007 article in the Lodi News-Sentinel.

Proto’s mother, Sheila Abdallah of Stockton, reached by phone Monday, said her family was too overcome with grief to speak with a reporter.

“It’s a time of loss for our family, and it’s a private loss,” Abdallah said.

The mother of one of the wounded, a 23-year-old woman, said it was “a miracle” her daughter was expected to survive despite being shot multiple times in the head.

“She’s still in critical condition, and pending any unforeseen circumstances we believe she will survive,” said the mother, who didn’t want her or her daughter’s names or locations publicized out of fear for their safety while the suspects remained at large.

She said her daughter called 911 after the attack.

The call came in at 8:15 p.m. Saturday.

Paramedics rushed the wounded man and woman to the hospital. Deputies found Proto fatally wounded inside a second residence behind the main house.

On Monday, only the remnants remained of a potted marijuana garden and greenhouse that filled the small yard between the houses situated near the front of the seven-acre parcel, with fallow fields between neighboring pastures with sheep and cow. The area is about two miles west of Stony Point Road.

The suspects had left a garden of potted mature cannabis plants behind. Narcotics deputies eradicated the plants the next day.

“We can confirm that there was marijuana on the property,” Crum said. “But right now we don’t have the connection as to whether this was a drug deal gone bad, home-invasion property or a family dispute.”

Four dogs were taken away from the property and placed in an animal control truck. A neighbor said the house had for years been a cabinet shop before it was converted to a living space by the new owners.

The neighbor, who declined to give his name, said the property was sold about three years ago and both units are on a single parcel.

A man who answered the door at Proto’s house said he was a friend.

Cody Rose of Sonoma County said Proto moved with Proto’s wife to the property just about a year ago from elsewhere in Sonoma County. Rose tearfully described Proto as “one of the most tranquil people” and showed a photo of a smiling, bearded Proto standing in his cannabis garden. He said Proto grew pot for people with medical recommendations.

The house and garden are enclosed by wood and chain link fencing. Proto’s home was run-down with concrete floors. Books and memorabilia filled the shelves. Blood remained on the floor, a reminder of the violence that occurred inside.

“There were never any guns here,” Rose said. “He was anti-gun.”

Detectives were given few details about the assailant or assailants and “no accurate description” of a potential getaway vehicle, according to Crum. He said more information will be released as investigators learn more.

“It’s an active investigation and they don’t want any information to get out there that may harm the case,” Spencer Crum said. “We will put out information as soon as we possibly can and we appreciate the public’s patience.”

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 707-521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.