(KRON) — A man who was stabbed in the chest during an argument at a Santa Rosa residence has died over a week after the incident, the Santa Rosa Police Department announced Monday.
The victim was identified as Jacob Phillips, 26, of Santa Rosa. Police said Phillips was stabbed on Oct. 7 by his acquaintance Robert Mendoza, 27, of Santa Rosa, and had been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Phillips succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 18.
After the stabbing, authorities said Mendoza fled from the Third Street apartment and was later spotted by Santa Rosa police officers as he ran through downtown. Mendoza allegedly refused the officers’ demands to stop running, and a K-9 was sent after him to bring a stop to the chase.
Mendoza was initially booked into jail for attempted murder. After the death of Phillips, police have requested that the charge be amended to murder. Mendoza remains in custody without bail.
The incident marks Santa Rosa’s 12th homicide of 2025.
