HOMICIDE: EPD Releases Information on this Morning’s Shooting

Photo by Laurie Jensen

This is a press release from the Eureka Police Department:

On June 30, 2016, at approximately 3:04 a.m., officers from the Eureka Police Department responded to reports of shots fired near the intersection of Iowa and McCullens.

As the first officer arrived to investigate, he noticed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed with obvious gunshot damage to the body of the vehicle.  The officer attempted an enforcement stop on the vehicle, but the driver failed to yield.  Officers pursued the vehicle at speeds between 70 and 80 miles per hour.  The pursuit ended when the vehicle pulled into the St. Joseph Hospital parking lot.

Officers learned there was a female gunshot victim in the vehicle.  The female was rushed into the emergency room where lifesaving efforts were initiated.  The male driver of the vehicle was detained and cooperated with officers.  The male stated that the incident occurred in the 1500 block of McCullens Avenue.  Officers responded to that vicinity and located the crime scene.  The scene was secured and detectives responded to take over the investigation.      

The female gunshot victim, 19 of Eureka, succumbed to her injuries.  Her identity is being withheld until the next of kin are notified.

While investigating the homicide, an unrelated call for service was dispatched to EPD officers.  The suspect from the unrelated call was detained and taken into custody on unrelated charges.  As the homicide investigation progressed, detectives discovered enough probable cause to connect this male suspect with the homicide and he was subsequently arrested for murder.  The identity of the suspect will be released tomorrow.    

During the investigation into the homicide suspect, two firearms were located and seized.  One firearm was a shotgun and the other was a high powered semi-automatic rifle.  The rifle is believed to be the weapon used in the homicide.

Anyone who may have witnessed any of the events that occurred early this morning are asked to contact Detective John Gordon at (707) 441-4300.

Earlier Chapter:

• Early-Morning Shooting at McCullens Motel