Two men wounded in gang-related stabbings

Home » News » Local

Monday, September 22, 2008

Comment

By CARLOS VILLATORO
Register Staff Writer

Carlos Villatoro articles

November 24th, 2009

'Top Chef' cooks in Napa

November 23rd, 2009

Fair in American Canyon helps locals reach for the dream

Riding the rails, in miniature

November 22nd, 2009

Napa cops halt shoplifting spree

November 21st, 2009

Computer stolen from Volunteer Center

Two men were listed in stable condition at Queen of the Valley Medical Center Sunday evening after being stabbed multiple times during two separate gang fights over the weekend, police said. The Napa Police Department is investigating a possible link to the stabbings and one that occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

On Friday at 10:45 p.m., police officers responded to a fight reported in the area of Crocker and Windsor streets in central Napa, Napa Police Sgt. Paul Paniagua said. The combatants had fled the area before police arrived, but witnesses told police to check a nearby house.

Paniagua said they were unable to locate anyone at the home who was linked to the fight. Then, about 45 minutes later, 18-year-old Victor Fragoza checked into to Queen of the Valley Medical Center with four stab wounds and a collapsed lung. Police are investigating Fragoza’s involvement in the fight.

On Sunday morning at 12:41 a.m., police again responded to a gang fight on the 300 block of South Minahen Street. The combatants fled the area, but a witness told police that they drove away in Cadillac Escalade. Moments later, an officer found the vehicle driving north on Soscol Avenue at a high rate of speed. The officer pulled the SUV over and found 19-year-old Lawrence Ellsworth inside it with multiple stab wounds.

Ellsworth was taken to the Queen for treatment of six puncture wounds and a collapsed lung. Paniagua said the Napa Police Department’s Gang Unit is investigating the nature of the stabbings and determining if they were retaliation for a gang stabbing that happened last week.

In that incident, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed in his arm, leg and foot as he walked to a west Napa 7-Eleven store.

“We are actively pursuing all leads, trying to find the people responsible,” Paniagua said. “So far no weapons have been recovered. The involved people that we can find, they are not real forthcoming with a description (of the attackers).”

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact police Detective Walund at 257- 9264.

41 comment(s)

southnapareader wrote on Sep 22, 2008 12:39 AM:

" However the young people that were involved I wish them healing from their wounds and whatever causes them to be involved in the first place. "

smogone77 wrote on Sep 22, 2008 1:12 AM:

" I wonder how Napa can stop this? I know someone had mentioned big brother/big sister programs in a previous post, do we have those in Napa.

Also, i hope those involved learn from this and realize that their are only two paths that their roads take, death or prison. "

notpc wrote on Sep 22, 2008 5:30 AM:

" When the gangbangers start getting out of hand there should be an immediate parole/ probation violation search of these punks. Turn up the heat and make it uncomfortable for these types. Zero tolerance is something they never got at home. "

amelia wrote on Sep 22, 2008 6:51 AM:

" Seriously, the police need to step up and do somethiing about the gangs. Mcpherson school is being used as a drug selling area, just look at the cars there at night and I mean late night and for what reason might I ask? What kind of teenager or adult goes to a elementary school parking lot at 10:30 pm? Gangs are there and if the cops would show up, they would totally split and keep my neighborhood safer. Small children live on Crocker and Windsor street and if it's only stabbings now, it will become drive by's later. "

HOGGDA wrote on Sep 22, 2008 6:52 AM:

" Lets all give all the little gangbangers a hug maybe they'll stop. "

mypoint wrote on Sep 22, 2008 8:17 AM:

" They drove away in a Cadillac Escalade?? Are you kidding me. How does someone in a gang afford a car like that? "

reason-ator wrote on Sep 22, 2008 8:46 AM:

" I wish we had the horsepower to deal with the problem.

Actually, it would have been better to have the horsepower a few years ago. It may be too late, now. "

napaoldguy wrote on Sep 22, 2008 8:53 AM:

" I agree that the police need to do something. But this is higher then that.The police are limited on what they are allowed to do.If they punish the people that are causing all the problems they will be called racist.If they start picking up the problem people, the courts will slap their hands and say don't do that again. Being in a gang should be against the law. Let's pick them up and have them clean up Napa by pulling weeds, painting,and picking up trash. Punish them, not just give them a place to hang out with friends and watch TV at juvenile hall. "

psychochik wrote on Sep 22, 2008 9:14 AM:

" Welfare, it pays well if youve got enough kids. Ever see the parking lot of the Laurel St apartments or any other lower income complex ?? More Escalades and luxury type vehicles than in the upper income areas of town.

And, I'm sure more than one gang thug is a drug dealer, and from what I've heard, they make pretty good money doin that.

I truly hope something gets done before this gets out of hand once again. The larger this town becomes, the less desireable it becomes with these thugs roamin around. I live just up the street from where the first incident occured. Thats a lil too close to home for me. "

bloodagar wrote on Sep 22, 2008 9:14 AM:

" Okay, my last post was not constructive...just complaining.

So here is a program I would stand behind:
1. enforce the curfew already in place and just HARASS suspected gangmembers and hit them were it already hurts...in the pocket.
Fine them, jail them.
2. 1:1 intervention with Army/Marine recruiters who give their pathetic existence some options.
Options: sign on bonus for 4 years which will take care of those pesky fines accrued. Travel the world and see there is more to life than the cretins of Napa. Replace their artificial family with a new family of brothers that are honoring their civic duty.
Housing and meals? Taken care of. Savings account? Taken care of. Family? More money allocated for children and wives. Aggressive tendencies? Stab a foreign terrorist instead of the domestic terrorist down the street.
Give them a cool MOS that they can apply in civilian life. Give them the OPPORTUNITY to expand their narrow horizon.
This goes for the chola's too..recruit them, they think they are tougher? They'll be broken down within the first week of Basic Training.
There you go, less gangbangers & less welfare momma's. "

Unclestuy wrote on Sep 22, 2008 9:46 AM:

" This was the reason I wanted to go into the military 28 years ago. There was no place to hang out with out getting in trouble. So, we cruised the "J", eventually, that got boring. Then we would "watch the grapes grow" or "watch the submarine races at night" along the Napa River. Ah, yes roller skating, that's gone. I'm glad I made the decision I did. Basalt, Mare Island, Kasier Steel all closed. What is there for young people to do and not get into trouble? Napa needs a Boot Camp or a Scared Straight Program for young offenders. "

Raven wrote on Sep 22, 2008 9:54 AM:

" I know I am going to regret this but just how do you know any of the owners of those escalades or luxury type vehicles are on welfare....? "

localchick wrote on Sep 22, 2008 9:55 AM:

" We do have a Big Brothers/Big Sisters program here in Napa. The phone number is 258-6346 and they are now located at 190 Camino Oruga (the side roads off North Kelly). I know that they are always in need of mentors. Please call them and set up a time to get more information. The volunteering in juvinille hall that my dad does is through them too, so you can do one on one mentoring and/or work with a whole bunch of these kids! "

psychochik wrote on Sep 22, 2008 9:57 AM:

" Enforcing a curfew only works for people under 18. Anyone over that age is exempt from that unless they're on probation with a specification that they cant be out beyond a certain hour.

Something needs to be done by the citizens, side by side with the police. Taking a stand and saying this wont be tollorated. If you give into the fear theyre perpetuating then they win and our streets will get no safer.

I dont know exactly how to do it, but I'm pretty sure it can be done.

And honestly, I dont care if I get looked at as a racist, I know I'm not so I'm ok with it. I just hate these thugs that thing its ok to make everyone feel uneasy and if they all happen to be of one ethnicity then thats not my fault, its theirs for living up to the sterotypes. "

pabstblueribbon wrote on Sep 22, 2008 9:58 AM:

" Here's an idea... let's get a couple of REAL gang bangers up from Los Angeles to give all these wannabe kids a good spankin'. "

napadad wrote on Sep 22, 2008 9:58 AM:

" Bloodagar, look at this from a news article :
Evidence of gang culture and gang activity in the military is increasing so much an FBI report calls it "a threat to law enforcement and national security." The signs are chilling: Marines in gang attire on Parris Island; paratroopers flashing gang hand signs at a nightclub near Ft. Bragg; infantrymen showing-off gang tattoos at Ft. Hood.

"It's obvious that many of these people do not give up their gang affiliations," said Hunter Glass, a retired police detective in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the home of Ft. Bragg and the 82nd Airborne. He monitors gang activity at the base and across the military.
The rise in gang activity coincides with the increase in recruits with records. Since 2003, 125,000 recruits with criminal histories have been granted what are known as "moral waivers" for felonies including robbery and assault. "

Dwayne wrote on Sep 22, 2008 10:14 AM:

" I suppose y'all would flame me if I suggested that we just let Darwin's theory take its course...??? "

miestro wrote on Sep 22, 2008 10:37 AM:

" street gangs have always been a problem for napa, ALWAYS. People are always coming up with ways to STOP, or REDUCE gang violence in thier town. But really, theres not much you can do too gangs that doesn't involve harming or arresting the members, or scaring them with the threat of either punishments. now adays the media is call about, selling DRUGS, making dirty MONEY. having sex with alot of GIRLS, stealing, buying nice, luxurious, fast CARS, with the money they make from "hulsting" on the streets. getting props from the "homies", Robbing people to get quick cash, all being supported on tv, and kids loving it. the more drugs, the more money and the longer they get to enjoy being "high". they dont care about others, just their crew, and loved ones. if you get in the way of any of that, you get cut out, or warned. im 19 and iv been around this my whole life, iv seen rich, dad is a docter, im take his money n buy alot of drugs n do them, n sell them. or my dad works in the vineyard and im gonna hold the block down with my homies and sell drugs. Napa aint to safe, all the new cops makin kids think harder, more street to avoid the police, and gettin strapped. "guns" kids arent playing little gang member. Most wanna be "Scarface". influences, thats wats gets the violence started. "

mykdgirl54 wrote on Sep 22, 2008 12:05 PM:

" Instead of complaining about the problem - or pointing fingers, if as a napan your SICK of the gang/drug problems DO something about it! We have election coming up. And last I checked we were still living in a democratic society where the people are soveigrn and have the ultimate say! DEMAND more patrol, INSIST on neighborhood watches, and be OUT IN FORCE in your community. Furthermore, INSIST on programs, oppertunities, and activties for the youth of this town instead of just catering to TOURIST! Those dollars have to go somewhere! You can start today by walkign your neighborhood, introducing yourself to your neighbors and listen and talk with each other about how you can better your home. It's much harder to run amuck in streets that are lined with concerned, motivated, and UNITED citizens!!!! "

aleph wrote on Sep 22, 2008 12:08 PM:

" I suppose HUGE fines could work... "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Sep 22, 2008 12:50 PM:

" These guys are "wannabe gang bangers" and the reason I say this is because these guys are fighting over colors and pride. Real gangbangers fight over drug, crime, and prostitution turf. In all major cities the gang banging is to "own" certain blocks and corners to sell drugs or pimp prostitutes. These guys will kill over a certain block that they fell will make them the most money selling drugs. In Napa we don't have that problem, there isn't gangsters standing on the corner selling drugs and pimping prostitutes. These are just kids who think there tough and want to prove it to other kids, and they fight over a color. This is a small potatoes problem and I wouldn't worry about it, let them stab and kill each other off. Once you start seeing people with guns selling drugs on the corner then you know we will have a problem, but Napa is to small of a place to have that happend "

huduvudu wrote on Sep 22, 2008 1:27 PM:

" bring in a "hells angels" group. Let them ride around and watch over this town. "

exnapan wrote on Sep 22, 2008 1:41 PM:

" Ooops, I thought I was reading the Vallejo paper. So much for Napa being such a great place! "

Kathy Concened wrote on Sep 22, 2008 2:07 PM:

" 1. I'm sure those gang members getting treatment at Queen of the Valley had medical coverage! Oh, maybe I'm dreaming. Taxpayers again.
2. Escalade. I'm sure public assistance helps.
3. Ever been to the grocery store watching people pay with food stamps and then getting into their Escalades in
the parking lot? "

chunk wrote on Sep 22, 2008 4:20 PM:

" This happened a few houses away frome me. I thought I heard a gunshot that night as well. "

nunyabizness wrote on Sep 22, 2008 4:21 PM:

" Kathy C. & huduvudu..........
My sentiments EXACTLY !!! Thank you!!! "

luv2surf wrote on Sep 22, 2008 5:19 PM:

" A friend of mine who works at the Queen of the Valley Hospital once told me of an "undocumented" family who were having their 6th child there, at tax payers’ expense nonetheless (4 born here in Napa and 2 undocumented children brought from Mexico). After taking the mother out to the parking lot with yet another baby delivered courtesy of the California Tax Payer, her husband enthusiastically was showing her his new "Escalade" complete with leather interior and LCD screens for the kids to watch movies! My friend has always been sort of a "liberal" when it came to helping Illegal’s, but after that experience needless to say, she realized that something was terribly wrong with our system. My brother pays over $1,200 dollars a month for insurance and these people can have as many babies they want and still be able to go out and buy and Escalade?! When you don’t have to report your income and the tax payer takes care of all your family’s medical, education, WIC expenses, etc., I guess you can! "

ValleyKitten wrote on Sep 22, 2008 5:40 PM:

" I am all for the Napa PD doing thier jobs...but, my son has been harrassed by both the Napa PD and Sherrifs Dept., being pulled over at least ten times in the last month...Not, once getting a ticket for the situation, my son is not in a gang, nor on probation, in fact he has never been in trouble. But, for some reason Napa PD pulls him over with no reason and the first thing they ask is are you on probation??? And is this your car??? My son is being profiled over and over again...they list him as being hispanic although his license states otherwise..Yeah, get the bad guys and the gang members but stop profiling the people you think look the part...in fact one time my son was pulled over they said are you sure your name is not Jose not Josh????? What is that about, if it is not profiling, I do not know what it is, harrassment...??My son is dark because he works outdoors and of his european background..not that, that matters...but, tell me again there is not racial profiling, in Napa???!?!??!? And of the wrong people..PLEASE!!! Tired of the Napa PD not doing thier jobs correctly...We are sixth generation here in Napa...I can not believe what it is becoming... "

me2you wrote on Sep 22, 2008 6:52 PM:

" Kathy C. & luv2surf I so agree with the both of you! I'm appreciative that we're FINALLY able to say how we feel about what is going on in Napa and MANY other states. Our Country is the ONLY Country where you can become "A PART" of. My mother became a United States citizen as a young adult. My daughter-in-law & grandchildren came here 6 years ago, it took my son two & half years of constant work to have them now here with their husband & children. He did it all the correct way and I'm proud of him because there were times we had a change of mind come in. He works two jobs, quite a son.
ahh, thoughts such as: How do you know their illegal?
Well, this is my answer to your question, I don't give a rip, State of CA giving them food stamps, they leave in a CADILLAC SUV.....I can hardly afford gas for my car these days.
God help America. "

grape wrote on Sep 22, 2008 6:52 PM:

" So this crime was possibly in retaliation to the boy that got stabbed on the way to 7 Eleven...the same boy that claimed not to be in a gang but somehow knew which gang stabbed him. ??

I knew something was fishy about that. The scary part is the second stabbing took place near my home.

You know, I certainly don't want to become prejudice, but it's really hard when it is Hispanics in these gangs that are ruining Napa. "

supernova8610 wrote on Sep 22, 2008 7:31 PM:

" Grape- >>>You know, I certainly don't want to become prejudice, but it's really hard when it is Hispanics in these gangs that are ruining Napa.<<

The feeling is mutual. "

Dwayne wrote on Sep 22, 2008 8:03 PM:

" supernova8610 wrote on Sep 22, 2008 7:31 PM:
" ....The feeling is mutual. "

Does that mean you think whites are ruining Napa...??? What's with that...!!!

If that reflects the attitude of Latinos here, then it no wonder there's a huge problem... "

ruiz94558 wrote on Sep 22, 2008 11:29 PM:

" i do hope those injured heal and recover well. my heart goes out to you all and please take care and be careful...it seems those are always our last words now...'bye! be careful!'
.....as to the prior comment.....i've witnessed alot of people on welfare collecting while they have their spouse making bank! and...the more children they have the more allotment....i've seen it and heard it all....that's WRONG! "

ADark1 wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:34 AM:

" I CAN solve the GANG problem if you're willing to pay for it...Been there done that.,.However it's gonna cost you!

( WHY SHOULDN'T i GET PAID FOR ALL MY HARD KNOCKS) And the fix will not happen overnight!

When I say cost I am talking directly to the tax paying hard working citizens like myself..It going to take the cooperation of the Legal Judiciary as well the overworked underpaid police, The city council and yes all of you...The residents!

I refuse to debate this issue so take youe best pot shots..I WILL tell you this..I was raised in a place where the police call 911!

So if you TRULY want to take back your town, Put together the money and your people....If I do NOT make a MAJOR dent in gang activity...within 6 months, I'll give every dime back!

One Last thing...it has to be done MY way! "

napadad wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:45 AM:

" I knew ADark1 was really charles bronson! "

tomas62 wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:50 AM:

" These problems have been here since my paerents were kids no one probably remembers when ridgeview jr high was in i think it was life magazine in the 50s as one of the top 3 troubled schools in the nation! ??? so ive been told of teachers being thrown through plate glass windows and such and these were pretty much all white kids time and again it starts in the home no one wants to think of their kid being among the trouble makers and will it deny to the death we said no to GOD in our lives our schools our homes and nothing works to solve the problem its a heart thing hard hearts breed hard hearts listen to our hearts the music tvs movies we glorify the bad guys why?? its no wonder our kids have hard hearts it doesnt matter what race you are or what your income is people get by the best they know its all of our faults and we dont have the answers and as long as we reject GOD we reap what we sow JESUS CHRIST said I am the way "

pabstblueribbon wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:52 AM:

" ADark1 has been watching to much A-Team, and The Enforcer... lol "

sammy wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:20 PM:

" hey dude,....i mean napadad :) yer are stinkin right on..... he is Charles Bronson :) "

Mike Staleeny wrote on Sep 25, 2008 1:48 PM:

" you can never stop gangs. its like a cancer, you dont get it early it gets too big
then it kills you. thats exactly whats going
on today. "

cellsitegod wrote on Sep 26, 2008 6:27 AM:

" This is the 4th time I've tried posting this.
I'm not sure why the Register censors will not allow me to quote their own articles?

Sept 13
Home invasion robbery thwarted
Hispanic suspect

Sept 18
Teen stabbed in gang-related attack
Hispanic suspects

Sept 20
Drug agents shut down major drug operation
Hispanic suspects

Sept 11
Man arrested for sexual ties to teen….
Hispanic suspect

Sept15
Woman had bag snatched by bicyclist….
Hispanic suspect.

Sept21
3 out of 4 Napa’s most wanted are Hispanic

Sept26
3 out of 4 Napa’s most wanted are Hispanic

Violence and crime from the Hispanic community in our quiet little town has risen drastically. "

ADark1 wrote on Sep 26, 2008 12:08 PM:

" Ok folks...Charles Bronson is not that far off as a scenario......Here it is free of charge!

1. Personal INVOLVEMENT and Education...

2. I'd like the city to pass a law very close to one that was upheld in Illinois as if you are in groups of three of more , wearing gang colors etc, you ARE subject to search and siezure, and can / will be fined for gang activity.
3. Until you stop violating the civil rights of our citizens...don't expect to have any.
4. More ICE *visits* and enforcement.
5. Identifying the heads, the second in commands etc...then leave the heads to see all the hell they bring down on the foot soldiers families etc.
6. Allow me to show the SWAT team a few good tricks.
7.Allow me to show the gang task force a few ermmmmm ( xtralegal enforcement offortunties) Meaning by the time it gets to court....it will already be too late to make a difference. ( for the defendants of course)
8. FULL and total confiscation of all assets used in the course of gang releated crime...That includes recruitment folks.
9. Personally I love the idea of seeing the shot callers wearing bright Pink Jumpsuits and being supervised by victims of gang crime to do the worst jobs in napa.
10. Cash rewards for the immediate assistance in the conviction and / arrest of persons who are engaged in gang activity.

The list goes on and on..... However you get the picture.....trust me Bronson would be proud! :) "

Join the conversation

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login? (requires cookies)
	Forgot Your Password?

Create an account

Comment Guidelines

The goal of the story comments section at NapaValleyRegister.com is to have an open, thought-provoking, civil community forum for all issues.

What gets your comment posted?

• Staying on topic

• Keeping your comment to 300 words or less

• Avoiding name-calling

• Addressing your comments to the message rather than the messenger

What gets your comment deleted?

• Personal attacks

• Derogatory remarks

• Name-calling of any sort

• Going off-topic

• Hate speech

• Racially-insensitive comments

• Implying guilt of a subject in a crime story before there is a court verdict

• Posting e-mail addresses

• Posting comments of a commercial nature

• POSTING WITH ALL CAPITAL LETTERS

• Linking multiple comments together with "to be continued..." to get around the 300 word limit.

The fine print

- Comments are either approved or denied. We do not edit comments.

- You are welcome to modify and resubmit a denied comment.

- Comments may take several hours to be posted.

- Comments posted are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of NapaValleyRegister.com, its employees or its parent company.

- Do you have information on a story? Please go to our virtual newsroom to send us a news tip.

- If you feel a posted comment has violated our guidelines, please contact online@napanews.com or add a comment indicating you have an issue and our moderators will review the comment in question.

Search: