On October 22, 2023, at approximately 2:10 p.m., Sonoma County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of gunshots in the 21000 block of Moscow Road in Monte Rio, California. Upon arrival, they discovered 74-year-old Chris Jaffe deceased from gunshot wounds inside a residence.
During the initial investigation, deputies observed a man near the property who matched witness descriptions of the shooter. The suspect, later identified as 41-year-old Monte Rio resident Joseph Douchette, fled the scene, prompting a search that included the deployment of a SWAT team and a temporary shelter-in-place order for the surrounding neighborhood.
Approximately an hour later, at around 3:30 p.m., authorities located Douchette in the 21000 block of Mesa Grande Terrace, where he was arrested without incident. Deputies also recovered a firearm believed to be the weapon used in the shooting. Douchette was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility on charges including murder and an outstanding warrant, and he is being held without bail.
The relationship between Jaffe and Douchette remains unclear, and authorities have not disclosed a possible motive for the shooting. Douchette has been charged with murder and cruelty on a dependent adult. He is scheduled to appear in court on November 6, 2023.
Chris Jaffe, born on August 18, 1949, in New York, was a long-time resident of the Russian River area in Sonoma County. He was known for his passion for music, particularly as a collector of rare vinyl records and rock and roll memorabilia. Jaffe is survived by his children, grandchildren, and siblings.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jaffe's death is ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather information to understand the events leading up to the fatal shooting. Community members in Monte Rio have expressed shock and sadness over the incident, as both the victim and the suspect were known in the area.
