A shootout in front of bar row on the Arcata Plaza around 2 a.m. left a Humboldt State University police officer wounded and a suspect dead.
The officer’s injuries are considered serious but not life threatening.
According to an Arcata Police Department press release, an APD officer was with the UPD officer investigating a report of a man waving a handgun on the plaza at about 1:40 a.m. When the officers approached a parked vehicle, a 26-year-old reportedly got out and opened fire, wounding the UPD officer. Both officers returned fire, fatally wounding the man, who was later pronounced dead at Mad River Community Hospital.
The suspect, whose identity is currently being withheld, reportedly has prior felony convictions. APD plans to provide an update at 6 p.m. today with further information.
Find the full APD press release copied below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POLICE OFFICER SHOT BY ARMED CONVICTED FELON
On September 9, 2017 at about 1:40am, an Arcata Police Officer and a Humboldt State University Police Officer were investigating a report of a man seen waiving a handgun on the Plaza. Reportedly the man was involved in an altercation when he displayed the gun.
Preliminary reports indicate that as the police officers approached a parked vehicle, the suspect, a twenty-six year-old male, with past felony convictions, got out of the vehicle and fired a handgun at the officers. The Humboldt State University Police Officer was wounded by the gun fire. Both officers returned fire, hitting the man. The man was not an HSU student. He was pronounced dead at the Mad River Community Hospital. His identity is being withheld pending notification of family. The police officer who was shot was transported to a local Hospital where he has been admitted. His injuries are not life-threatening. A handgun was recovered at the crime scene.
The Humboldt County Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) which includes investigators from the Eureka Police Department, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, Fortuna Police Department, California Highway Patrol and the Department of Justice Crime Laboratory are investigating this shooting.
Witnesses are asked to call the Arcata Police Department, (707) 822-2426.
No further information will be released at this time. The Arcata Police Department will issue an update this evening at 6pm.
Below is a statement from Humboldt State University:
September 9, 2017
The following statements relate to the shooting that occurred early this morning near the Arcata Plaza. Details on the incident are available from the Arcata Police Department.
HSU President Lisa Rossbacher: “Our officer was shot this morning while serving and protecting our community. He was treated, and I’m relieved to hear that he is in stable condition. I want him, and his family, to know that we appreciate his service and that they are in our thoughts.”
HSU Police Chief Donn Peterson: “This situation began with the University Police Department assisting Arcata Police as they responded to an incident near the Plaza. A University Police officer was shot and wounded during an encounter with an armed subject. His injuries are serious, but do not appear to be life threatening. The role of the University Police Department now will be to support the investigation into this incident.”
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This article appears in ‘The Hollow Men’.
People need to not fight ems when they are trying to save lives
What is Arcata turning into? This is so sad. University police being shot at on a crowded street, and then killing a suspect. Wow. Ain’t like it used to be around here.
I’m sure the Arcata police department and all the officers involved in the shooting are going to get sued by some family members saying that we shouldn’t have killed him. Prayers out to all involved and a speedy recovery everybody watch your six
I’m scared.
Huh, no mention of race……place your bets?
Live by the gun…
Young black boy murdered in cold blood by Arcata police
Kelley, if you have information to support your accusation, please share it. Otherwise, please keep such inflammatory claims to yourself, or at least off our website.
PokerfaceRLAH, there was no mention of race because, at this point, there’s no indication it was a factor in what took place.
Carl Tsutomu, what are you scared of?
This is a no win situation officer shot and a young man is dead , He is dead he pay for whatever only God know with his life ok . Like it or not he is loved by his family and friends , it’s no need to belittle him , right or wrong let his loves one have some peace nobody is perfect . However what happened 2 people could have lost their life . Dnt judge only God can do that . All these comments what good does it serve , with this trouble world we are living in . Let’s pray for people God bless everybody because God loves every body we’re a Christian nation
WTH, my sons mom goes to this school. You would think that its a quiet town. You almost think its safer to be in a bigger city. These rual areas have weaker police, and therefore more S**T heads doing drugs losing their sanity.