A Plan to Take a Dog Ends in Near-Fatal Stabbing in Ukiah, Police Say

Owner taken to Adventist in critical condition

Evidence photo supplied by the Ukiah Police Department

Typo corrected in Pete Gonzales’ name. (January 20, 2025)

Update: Police have confirmed that the victim is doing better and that their condition is listed as non-life-threatening. Also, the victim’s dog is in good hands with an individual who is taking care of the canine. The dog was not injured in the incident. The police also said that the assailants did not know the victim personally, but that Pete Gonzales knew the victim had this dog. (Update: 3:24 p.m. January 6, 2025)

The following account is taken directly from a Ukiah Police Department press release. All factual information was provided by the police and the online court docket.

What police say began as a plan to steal a black-and-white dog spiraled into a brutal attack that left a Ukiah man fighting for his life on New Year’s Eve.

According to the Ukiah Police Department, two 23-year-old men lured a 33-year-old Ukiah resident behind a South State Street building on December 31 with the intent of taking his black and white canine — then allegedly attacked him with a sword and a machete when he resisted.

Officers were dispatched at approximately 3:45 p.m. to 995 South State Street in Ukiah for a reported stabbing. When patrol officers arrived, they found the victim bleeding heavily from from his neck, chest, and hand. He was incoherent and unable to explain what happened, police said.

The victim was transported to Adventist Health of Ukiah in extremely critical condition, with concerns he might not survive.

Police initially had few leads. The attack occurred behind a building, and officers were unable to locate any witnesses. Detectives were called to the scene while patrol officers canvassed nearby businesses for surveillance footage.

Security video from surrounding properties showed the victim walking behind the building with two men and his dog shortly before the attack. Minutes later, the footage shows the victim staggering back towards the roadway, motioning for help.

The assailants fled in different directions, one carrying the victims dog over his shoulder.

Detectives used the video to identify one suspect as Adam Monte Smith, a 23-year-old Ukiah resident. Investigators said Smith appeared to have shaved his head in an attempt to alter his appearance. When contacted at his resident, Smith admitted that he and another man had planned to take the dog and give it to his girlfriend. The second man was later identified as Pete Matthew Gonzales, also 23 and a Ukiah resident.

During the confrontation, Smith allegedly drew a large sword while Gonzales pulled out a machete. Police say Smith stabbed the victim in the chest, and as the men struggled over the sword, Gonzales struck the victim in the neck with the machete.

The suspects then took the victim’s backpack and dog and fled.

Gonzales was later located and arrested without incident. Police said he was found in possession of methamphetamine at the time of his arrest.

Detectives executed a search warrant at a downtown Ukiah residence, where they recovered the stolen dog and clothing police say Smith was wearing during the attack, which was stained with blood.

Both men were booked into the Mendocino County Jail and police said the investigation is ongoing.

Police said the investigation is ongoing. Smith and Gonzales were arraigned today.

Smith was charged with six felonies: attempted murder, assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, second degree robbery, and use of a weapon/controlled substance in commission of a felony (three counts).

Gonzales was charged with seven felonies: attempted murder, assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, second degree robbery, transportation of a controlled substance, and use of a weapon/controlled substance in commission of a felony (three counts).