Fort Bragg Police Arrest Man and Teen in New Year’s Eve Drive‑By Shooting at West Spruce Street Home
My favorite line in the release is “began the tedious process of locating and arresting the suspect.” It’s such a perfectly bureaucratic way to describe what was probably a long night of shoe‑leather work.ing and arresting the suspect”
Tedious’ is a funny word, but honestly, it’s one that gives us confidence. Slow, careful work is usually the kind that gets it right. In situations like this, taking the time isn’t a flaw — it’s the point.
Here is the press release.
2026.01.31 FBPD Press Release – Investigation Leads to Arrest
Investigation leads to Arrest 01/31/2026
On December 31, 2025, at approximately 2:17 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of W Spruce Street for a report of a drive-by shooting. Upon arrival, officers learned an unknown suspect had fired multiple times into a residence at the location before fleeing the area in a gray sports utility vehicle. Officers immediately launched an investigation into the incident, interviewing victims, witnesses, canvassing the area, collecting physical evidence, and obtaining video surveillance.
As the investigation continued, officers served multiple warrants, and partnered with the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task to perform surveillance on various locations around the Fort Bragg Area to determine the whereabouts of the suspect(s).
Through their investigation, officers identified the suspected shooter, a 16-year-old juvenile out of Fort Bragg, and began the tedious process of locating and arresting the suspect.
On January 28, at approximately 3:00 p.m., officers received information that the suspected shooter was currently at a location in the 23000 block of SR-1. Officers with the Fort Bragg Police Department, along with the Mendocino Major Crimes Task force immediately responded to the area and began to perform surveillance on the location.
At approximately 5:10 p.m., officers observed the juvenile suspect attempting to flee from the area on foot. Officers immediately arrested and took the juvenile suspect into custody without incident.
Incident to arrest, officers located a loaded 9mm “ghost gun”, and a second loaded magazine on the juvenile’s person. An additional box of ammunition and suspected controlled substances were also located in the juvenile’s possession.
Officers later arrested 40-year-old Marvin Aldanacisnero for Penal Code 32 “Accessory After the Fact.”
The juvenile suspect was transported to the Mendocino County Juvenile Hall for violations of California Penal Codes 25850(A) Carry Loaded Firearm, 24610 Possession of “ghost gun”, 29610 (A) Minor in possession of Handgun, welfare and Institutions Code 777 Felony Juvenile Want, and Health and Safety Code 11350 (A) Possession of Controlled Substances. Aldanacisneros was transported to the Mendocino County Jail for violation of penal code 32 Accessory After the Fact.
The Fort Bragg Police Department would like to thank the multiple partners that assisted in this arrest, including the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks, and Mendocino County Juvenile Probation Department.
This investigation is ongoing and officers are continuing to identify both additional suspects and evidence related to this crime. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact Officer Beak of the Fort Bragg Police Department at (707)961-2800 ext. 224.
This information is being released by Commander McLaughlin. All media inquiries should contact him at jmclaughlin@fortbraggca.gov
