A Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a 29-year-old man yesterday afternoon at the Bear River Recreation Center who was allegedly armed and combative.
According to a press release, deputies responded to the center at 2:16 p.m. to a report of a man with a bloody, bandaged arm “actively dripping blood throughout the facility.” Responding deputies determined the man needed medical attention but he refused treatment, according to the release.
“At approximately 3:30 p.m., HCSO deputies cleared the scene and the subject agreed to leave,” the release says. “However, instead of leaving, the subject became combative and confronted the deputies with a weapon in a threatening manner. An HCSO deputy discharged their service weapon at the suspect, striking the suspect.”
The man — who the release says does not appear to be a Humboldt County resident or have any affiliation with the Bear River Rancheria — was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The press release says the incident was captured on body-worn cameras and there were multiple witnesses. Under state law, the sheriff’s office has to release the body camera footage within 45 days, absent unusual circumstances.
See the full release from the sheriff’s office copied below:
On June 5 at 2:16 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) received a call reporting a male subject who had entered the Bear River Recreation Center with a bandaged, bloody arm and was actively dripping blood throughout the facility. HCSO deputies arrived on scene and determined that the subject was uncooperative but in need of medical attention. Emergency medical assistance was requested but the subject refused treatment.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., HCSO deputies cleared the scene and the subject agreed to leave. However, instead of leaving, the subject became combative and confronted the deputies with a weapon in a threatening manner. An HCSO deputy discharged their service weapon at the suspect, striking the suspect.
Emergency medical assistance was rendered immediately and fire and medical personnel were dispatched to the scene. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The suspect is a 29-year-old white male adult. He does not appear to be a resident of Humboldt County or affiliated with the Bear River Rancheria.
This case is currently under investigation. The Critical Incident Response Team has been notified and will be investigating this case alongside the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office and the HCSO Major Crimes Division. This investigation is predicted to last several hours, and the roadway will remain closed for evidence collection. This incident was witnessed by several people at the scene and was captured on body-worn camera.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the HCSO Major Crimes Division at (707) 268-2539.
This article appears in Humboldt Crabs Baseball.