Petrolia Shooting Details

UPDATE, 1:55 p.m.: Remember the name Evans “Chompers” Cook? You should — he featured prominently in television ads supporting District Attorney Paul Gallegos almost 10 years ago, when the newly elected D.A. was battling back the recall.

Back then, Chompers’ troubled history with the law became its own little topic during the recall fight — Gallegos is cozying up to criminals! This led to Campaign Manager Richard Salzman’s famous line: “Chompers is endorsing Paul. Paul is not endorsing Chompers.”

And that’s today’s trip down memory lane! Thanks to reader “joeschmo” for jogging my memory. —HS

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Previous story on LoCO here.

Humboldt Co. Sheriff Press Release:

On 02-23-2013, approximately 1:30 p.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a citizen regarding a 57 year old male gunshot victim located in the 1500 block of North Fork Road, Petrolia. Deputies were already enroute to the Petrolia area regarding an unrelated call and arrived at the victim’s residence with medical personnel. Bureau of Land Management (B.L.M.) had a Ranger who was also in the area and responded to the scene to assist. When deputies arrived on scene, they were told the suspect was armed and still in the area. The victim and the victim’s girlfriend told the deputies the suspect was Evans Rupert Cook, 53 years old. Cook is the brother of the victim’s girlfriend and he rents a house from the victim which is on the same parcel as the victim’s home. Cook had been having an ongoing dispute with the victim. On 02-23-2013, approximately 1:00 p.m., the victim drove on his property to feed his livestock. While doing so he drove by the home that Cook rents from him. When driving by the home, Cook suddenly started to shoot at the victim with a rifle while the victim was driving by. The victim and his vehicle were struck by the rounds. The victim immediately abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot. He ran to his residence which is nearby for help. When the victim got home, his girlfriend called for help.

 

Deputies searched the area for Cook and located him leaving the area in a White Chevy Suburban. Deputies and a California Highway Patrol Officer (C.H.P.) initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and arrested Cook. Cook was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. His bail is set at $500,000.00. Deputies recovered a rifle that was believed to be used in the assault. The Humboldt County District Attorneys Office assisted Sheriff’s Detectives in this investigation.

 

The victim was transported to an out of area hospital for treatment and is expected to recover from his injuries.

 

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.