Shots Fired on Hwy 36, Law Enforcement Warning Residents in the Area of Suspect

Breaking News: We’re working to gather information on a ongoing situation in the Hwy 36 area. We’ve learned that around 8:30 tonight a forest service officer was struck by a vehicle.

Scanner traffic at 9 p.m. states, “Forest service requesting assistance on a shots fired during a foot bail from a vehicle pursuit Hwy 36. Eight miles west of the Trinity County line.” According to scanner traffic, the suspect “foot bailed” and shots were fired.

Scanner traffic at 9:12 p.m. states, “Vehicle has fled with bullet holes in the window. Major damage to the vehicle– Silver Jeep Liberty. Last seen westbound 36.”

The Jeep was later located (according to Channel 3 News) at mile market 28. Recent scanner traffic reports officers informing residents in that area that a suspect is in their area. Residents out Hwy 36 are reporting large numbers of law enforcement including a helicopter.

According to scanner traffic, the suspect, [deleted] is “armed with an unknown firearm.” The suspect has multiple warrants out for his arrest including some serious charges.

UPDATE 12:40 a.m.: According to the CHP, Highway 36 has been closed at mile marker 27 to mile marker 28 and also at mile marker 40. The area between 27 and 28 will be opening soon, the CHP said. However, the area around mile marker 40 will remain closed for some time.

UPDATE 7:47 a.m.: CHP dispatch says that all of Hwy 36 is now open.

UPDATE 8:03 a.m.: According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch, law enforcement is still seeking the suspect who fled last night after an attempted traffic went badly. A US Forest Service ranger was struck and injured by the suspect’s vehicle. Law enforcement is searching this morning out Highway 36 in the area where the suspect was last seen.

UPDATE 10:31 a.m.:

Humboldt County Sheriff Press Release:

On Saturday March 15th at approximately 8:56 PM, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified that Officers from the United States Forest Service (USFS) were involved in a pursuit with a silver Jeep Liberty on Highway 36 in the 28000 block range. A USFS Officer was injured after being struck by the suspect’s vehicle and shots were fired by USFS Officers at the suspect vehicle. Units from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, and Fortuna Police Department responded to the area to assist. CHP units located the suspect vehicle and were involved in a pursuit after the suspect vehicle failed to yield. CHP units attempted to disable the vehicle. The suspect vehicle was eventually disabled in the area of mile post marker 28; however, the suspect fled on foot into the brush. 

The USFS Officer was later flown to an area hospital in Redding were the officer’s condition was listed as stable. The incident is still under investigation by the USFS and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are investigating the officer involved shooting. The CHP’s Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is investigating the multiple vehicle collisions involving Law Enforcement units and the suspect vehicle. The suspect is currently at large and is considered armed and dangerous.

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