Potter Valley Man Arrested After Knife Threat Following Fight at Gathering

This is a press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent unless proven guilty:

On 07/03/2026 at approximately 10:40 P.M., Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to 12000 block of Hawn Creek Road Potter Valley, for a report of an in-progress fight involving a knife.

Sheriff’s Deputies requested assistance from the California Highway Patrol and the Potter Valley Fire Department. Upon arriving at the property, Sheriff’s Deputies were directed to the main residence, where the suspect was reportedly located. The suspect was identified as Samuel Romero-Gonzalez, who fled into a nearby vineyard after becoming aware of law enforcement’s presence.

Sheriff’s Deputies located Romero-Gonzalez a short time later and detained him without further incident. During the subsequent investigation, Sheriff’s Deputies observed physical evidence consistent with the reported assault in the area where Romero-Gonzalez had been detained.

Sheriff’s Deputies determined that the victim, a 38-year-old male who was acquainted with Romero-Gonzalez, had been socializing with the suspect and several other individuals prior to the assault. During the gathering, Romero-Gonzalez reportedly became involved in a verbal dispute with the victim that escalated into a physical altercation. Romero-Gonzalez struck the victim who defended himself, and the two subjects were ultimately separated by other individuals at the scene.

Witnesses reported that Romero-Gonzalez was escorted into a nearby residence following the initial altercation. Once inside, Romero-Gonzalez armed himself with a fixed-blade kitchen knife and attempted to leave the residence while threatening to kill the victim. Other individuals at the scene prevented Romero-Gonzalez from exiting the residence, which allowed the victim to leave the area and contact law enforcement.

During the investigation, Sheriff’s Deputies located the knife believed to have been used during the incident and seized it as evidence.

Medical personnel evaluated and treated the victim for minor injuries. Another individual who intervened during the initial altercation was also treated for minor injuries.

Sheriff’s Deputies developed probable cause to arrest Romero-Gonzalez for 245(a)(1) PC – Assault with a deadly weapon and 422(a) PC – Criminal threats. Romero-Gonzalez was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he is being held on a $50,000 bail status.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the California Highway Patrol and the Potter Valley Fire Department for their assistance in the response and investigation of this incident.

Anyone with information related to this incident is requested to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at 707-463-4086 (option 1). Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the non-emergency tip-line at 707-234-2100.