A Ferndale resident arrested after a SWAT standoff at a Van Ness Avenue residence on Jan. 8 is facing charges of attempted murder and domestic violence for allegedly stabbing his partner.
According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene around 7:30 p.m. on a report of a stabbing. There, they contacted a 48-year-old woman who said she was attacked and stabbed by her boyfriend — identified as 42-year-old James Jay LaBranche of Ferndale — before she was able to escape outside.
“Deputies attempted to contact LaBranche, who remained inside the residence, issuing commands for him to exit,” the release said. “After several hours without response, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was requested and responded to the scene to assist in the apprehension of Labranche. Deputies obtained a Ramey arrest warrant and search warrant for the residence.”
The release said a “less-lethal diversionary device” was deployed after “LaBranche failed to respond to the SWAT team’s commands” and he was “safely taken into custody.“
“Emergency medical services responded to the scene but the victim’s injuries were determined to be non-life threatening and she did not require any further medical treatment,” the release said.
According to the HCSO, LaBranche was taken to the Humboldt County jail and booked on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant/dating relationship and attempted murder.
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is asked to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip Line at (707) 268-2539.