On October 15, 2016, at about 8:15 p.m. on the 5000 block of Highway 116 South in Sebastopol, John Jessie Mariana, 28, was shot during a disturbance tied to a marijuana sale. He was one of three victims; 36-year-old Nathan Proto of Sebastopol was killed at the scene and an unidentified woman, later named Geena Gauthier in reports, was critically wounded. Mariana was placed on life support, donated his organs, and died of his injuries on October 18, 2016.

Investigators linked the shooting to a dispute arising from a transaction. The shooter was identified as 36-year-old Robert Lee Randolph of Philadelphia. Randolph reportedly had previously purchased marijuana from Mariana; their relationship had deteriorated. Randolph and a woman arrived at Proto’s home, described as an established marijuana growing operation, and Randolph opened fire. Gauthier survived despite being shot multiple times and managed to call 911.

Randolph and the woman fled and were captured later. The killings left Mariana’s family and friends grieving and Gauthier coping with long-term physical and emotional injuries. Did anyone who knew John or who was in that area on the night of October 15, 2016, see or hear anything that could shed more light on what happened?