On July 23, 2023, at approximately 11:31 p.m., Santa Rosa police officers responded to reports of a shooting at a Jack in the Box located at 2755 Santa Rosa Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered 40-year-old Jeffrey Farinha, a resident of Rohnert Park, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical attention, Farinha succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Investigations revealed that prior to the shooting, Farinha had been involved in a disturbance at an apartment complex on Burt Street. Subsequently, he encountered two individuals at the nearby Jack in the Box drive-through. The confrontation escalated when one of the individuals brandished a firearm and shot Farinha. The suspects fled the scene immediately after the incident.
After nearly a year of intensive investigation, the Santa Rosa Police Department's Violent Crimes Investigations Team made significant progress in the case. On July 25, 2024, they arrested two brothers from Clearlake: 22-year-old Daniel Perez-Mendoza and 19-year-old Christopher Perez-Mendoza. The arrests were executed without incident during a coordinated traffic stop on Mark West Springs Road. Both individuals were charged with murder and multiple firearm-related offenses.
Following the arrests, search warrants were served at residences in Clearlake, Lakeport, and Santa Rosa, leading to the seizure of five handguns, one rifle, and additional evidence pertinent to the case. The Perez-Mendoza brothers were booked into Sonoma County Jail, where they awaited further legal proceedings. The arrests provided a measure of closure to the Santa Rosa community, which had been seeking justice for Farinha's death.
In the aftermath of the incident, Farinha's family and friends held a candlelight vigil to honor his memory, reflecting the deep impact of his loss on the community. The Santa Rosa Police Department continued to encourage anyone with additional information about the case to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in resolving such tragic events.
