CA DOJ assists MCSO at crime scene for attempted murder

CA DOJ assists MCSO at crime scene for attempted murder.

"On 09/04/2026 at approximately 9:19 P.M., Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 4000 block of Sunnycrest Drive in Ukiah regarding a disturbance involving a subject covered in blood and reportedly armed with a knife.

While Sheriff’s Deputies were responding, dispatchers received additional information indicating that a second person at the residence was also injured.

Sheriff’s Deputies located an adult male outside of the residence who was identified as Carlos Ortiz-Garcia. Sheriff’s Deputies observed that Ortiz-Garcia had a large amount of blood covering multiple areas of his body and was currently involved in a verbal altercation with another male.

Ortiz-Garcia was detained at the scene following a brief physical struggle with Sheriff’s Deputies and Officers from the California Highway Patrol where Ortiz-Garcia used force while trying to escape from detention.

Deputies subsequently located a second adult male at the property who was determined to be the 53-year-old male victim. The victim was found with apparent injuries consistent with stab wounds and was provided medical treatment at the scene before being transported to a local hospital for emergency medical care.

The scene was secured and Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau were contacted and subsequently responded to the location following the authorization of a search warrant for the property.

During an initial walkthrough of the crime scene, it was apparent that a significantly violent attack occurred. Due to the size and nature of the scene, Sheriff’s Detectives contacted criminalists with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist with processing the crime scene.

Detectives responded to Adventist Health Ukiah Valley where both the suspect and victim received emergency medical treatment. It was determined that the suspect and victim lived at the property on Sunnycrest Drive.

Detectives learned that the victim was provided with emergency medical care due to the injuries he sustained. The victim is currently listed in stable but critical condition and is expected to survive. It was also learned that Ortiz-Garcia had a serious injury to his arm, which required him to be transported to Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital for emergency surgery.

After obtaining statements from those involved and processing evidence located at the scene, Ortiz-Garcia was arrested for 664/187 PC – Attempted Murder, 243(d) PC – Battery causing serious injuries, 459/460 PC – Burglary and 12022.7 PC – Use of a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury. Investigators learned Ortiz-Garcia had a misdemeanor arrest warrant issued by the Superior Court of Mendocino County for 148.5(a) PC – False report of a crime, with a bail of $2,500.

During the initial arrival at the scene, a Sheriff’s Deputy sustained minor lacerations to his hand when detaining Ortiz-Garcia. The Sheriff’s Deputy received treatment for his injuries which led to Ortiz-Garcia being charged with the additional offense of 69 PC – Resisting a peace officer by force.

Ortiz-Garcia was booked into the Mendocino County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of $1,002,500 bail." --MCSO