An Arcata neighborhood was hit July 4 with anti-Semitic flyers bearing the names and faces of prominent Biden administration officials and national media executives, some of whom were depicted with a blue Star of David on their forehead. At least three different flyers were distributed in the Sunset neighborhood near Lincoln and Eastern avenues, not […]
Brian Ahearn
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Man Fatally Stabbed in Chaotic Arcata Fight
Arcata police are investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred at about 1:20 this morning. Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn said the incident began outside the Arcata Theater Lounge on G Street when a man confronted another man he’d had a “beef” with and stabbed him. The fight moved into the 600 block of 10th Street […]
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Humboldt County Law Enforcement Responds to Death of George Floyd
Humboldt County Sherrif William Honsal, Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn and Eureka Police Chief Steve Watson have released statements regarding the arrest and death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died after a white officer Derek Chauvin of the Minneapolis Police Department knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes during an arrest. […]
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APD Renews Calls for Witnesses on Third Anniversary of Lawson’s Death
On the third anniversary his death, the Arcata Police Department is calling on witnesses to step forward in the April 15, 2017, stabbing of Humboldt State University sophomore David Josiah Lawson. In a joint public service announcement released with Lawson’s mother, Charmaine Lawson, they urge witnesses who may have attended the party at which Lawson […]
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‘Organizational Failures’
The commanding officer who oversaw the first steps in the Arcata Police Department’s probe into the April 15, 2017, stabbing death of David Josiah Lawson had no specialized training in crime scene management or homicide investigation. The officer tasked with photographing the crime scene used a point-and-shoot camera, had been working in law enforcement less […]
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One Dead, One Hospitalized After Arcata Shooting
One man is dead and another is hospitalized after a shooting near the intersection of Foster and Alliance in Arcata just before 10 p.m. Sunday. The shooting reportedly occurred amid a marijuana sale-gone-wrong, when four Eureka men attempted to sell cannabis to a single buyer, Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn told Redwood News. Ahearn said […]
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‘This is Heartbreaking:’ Vigil Commemorates Second Anniversary of Lawson’s Killing
Encircled by more than 100 people at the center of the Arcata Plaza during a candlelight vigil on the second anniversary of her son’s death, Charmaine Lawson took the microphone and fell silent. She took off her red hat with “Josiah” embroidered across the back, doubled over and wept until a friend embraced her. She […]
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DA: Lawson Review Will Likely Take Another 4-6 Weeks
Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming says her office will need another month to six weeks to complete its review of the David Josiah Lawson homicide investigation to determine what — if any — charges are appropriate in the case. The Arcata Police Department completed its investigation into Lawson’s April 15, 2017, stabbing death and […]
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Arcata Selects New Police Chief
The city of Arcata announced today that the selection of a new police chief will be officially ratified by the council Friday during a noon special meeting followed by his swearing-in ceremony. The city selected Brian Ahearn out of a pool of 20 candidates in a process that included “multi-panel interview process and extensive background […]