Petrolia Man Shoots Another to Stop Him From Choking a Woman With Rebar

This is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

Humboldt County Sheriff HCSO badgeOn 08-09-2016 at 5:28 p.m. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and BLM Officers responded code-3 to a report of a male subject, who had been shot in the leg at a BLM campground in Petrolia. When deputies arrived on scene at the BLM campground located at the mouth of the Mattole River they gathered the following information from citizens:

A 31 year old male citizen had dialed 9-1-1 to report he shot a man, later identified as 50 year old Patrick Michael Harris in the knee after an altercation at the BLM campground in Petrolia.  The citizen reported Harris had attacked a female victim with a piece of rebar and he was forced to shoot Harris in the leg.  The citizen reported that he was unable to remain on scene and provided dispatch with all of his contact information.

Deputies interviewed several witnesses and the female victim, the following is a summary of their investigation:  Harris was acting bizarre and approached the female victim.  Harris asked her if she was ready to die.  At some point Harris got behind the female and started to choke her with the rebar. The female feared for her life and thought she was going to die.

The male citizen who witnessed Harris attack the female stated he intervened to protect her and was forced to shoot Harris. The citizen’s action likely saved her life or at least prevented further harm. Citizen’s then detained Harris until deputies arrived. The female victim declined medical attention, but did sustain significant facial injuries. Humboldt County Sheriff Office Detectives were called out to take over the investigation.

Harris received a non-life threatening bullet wound to his leg and was transported via ambulance to a local hospital. Harris is currently in custody and will be transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility when he is medically cleared by the hospital. Harris is in custody for attempted homicide. Harris’s bail is $500,000 dollars.

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.

Earlier Chapter: Gunshot Victim in the Petrolia Area

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Newton
Guest
7 years ago

So happy there was someone there who did what he had to do, she is very lucky.

veterans friend
Guest
veterans friend
7 years ago

I heard this go down on my scanner. The guy attacked “several” women with the rebar before he was shot by a bystander who then took off to pick his wife up from the airport…but not before calling to report this. He identified himself and waited as long as he could.
This was all complicated by a motorcycle accident that occurred on Wilder Ridge rd at about the same time & resulted in a possible broken back for the rider.
It was the most confused event I have ever listened to. Life flight called & cancelled. Ambulance called & redirected. Deputy here, deputy there.

Ivan B Nobody
Guest
Ivan B Nobody
7 years ago

Agreed…very confusing, was good to hear the R.P and shooter was the “Good Samaritan” in this case. Too many Wackos running around our county, IMHO.

Yayo
Guest
Yayo
7 years ago

Me too! When are we gonna stand up and demand mental health facilities that house people in our county???
The DHHS is in disarray, it’s time for all if us to come together and demand our taxes be used in a more preventative way than catch and release, which isn’t cops fault, there’s no place to put these folks.

Ignorance is ignorance not bliss.
Guest
Ignorance is ignorance not bliss.
7 years ago
Reply to  Yayo

Here here! Very true! The cops are doing their best, it’s the system that’s broken.

yeppers
Guest
yeppers
7 years ago

Seriously broken!!!

veterans friend
Guest
veterans friend
7 years ago

Law enforcement take note:
It is not always necessary to KILL someone to stop them

Zipper
Guest
Zipper
7 years ago

Sould have shot him in the face

From_hoopa_w/_
Guest
From_hoopa_w/_
7 years ago

We need better Mental Healthcare, bottom line! We need people to be able to recognize mental problems in our youth so they can start getting treatment ASAP! Schools, clinics, police, store vendors, any one that has to work with the public! Education is key, and funding is very much needed.

Dave
Guest
Dave
7 years ago

Every year approximately 2 million violent crimes are prevented or terminated by a good citizen with a gun.

When you need help NOW, the police are “Only minutes away” *cough cough*

And true, he didn’t have to kill the assailant. Police trainers take note.

Zando
Guest
Zando
7 years ago
Reply to  Dave

Try an annual average of about 68,000 crimes prevented. Not nothing, but significantly less than the NRA’s 2-2.5 million quote.
http://www.vpc.org/studies/justifiable.pdf

unacceptable
Guest
unacceptable
7 years ago
Reply to  Zando

So you believe what you read, from the source you provide a link to?
Yeah pal, and Oswald shot kennedy, and then ruby takes care of Oswald and coincidentally has a heart attack and dies.
[edit]

Lynn
Guest
Lynn
7 years ago
Reply to  Zando

That’s just gun use. Other crimes are stopped by a criminal knowing a person has a gun.

Bunny
Guest
Bunny
7 years ago

2 million is crazy talk.

unacceptable
Guest
unacceptable
7 years ago

Nice that on this page for once a gun was uses to stop crime instead of being used in a crime! Outstanding citizen! This man should be honored by the county supervisors, a medal of Valor perhaps. Some sort of recognition is in order here!
Apparently good marksmanship as well, good job sir!
This is why they don’t want us to have gunrights, so we can depend on someone else with a gun that’s hours away and busy with other shet!
Besides how is gun control control at all ?
So let someone with a gun take your gun?
Think about it, maybe in the morning when your not hungover and your brains firing order is proper..

Canada Goose
Guest
Canada Goose
7 years ago
Reply to  unacceptable

I 1000% agree. The “shooter” witnessed an assault taking place and took immediate action. He could have killed the assailant but he had the presence of mind to make a well placed shot to the leg, taking the man down. Then he tended to the mans wounds and called 911 himself to report the incident. It was literally the best possible outcome in what sounds like a shitty situation. The Good Samaritan should be recognized for his actions.

Lynn
Guest
Lynn
7 years ago

Thank you shooter!