Man Arrested in McKinleyville Hostage Situation

Press release from Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Jesse David Brucklacher

On Sept. 18, 2020, at about 7 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 1600 block of Fisher Avenue in McKinleyville for the report of a domestic disturbance resulting in a female victim being held against her will by her partner inside.

When deputies arrived at the residence, the suspect, 30-year-old Jesse David Brucklacher, refused to open the door and began yelling at deputies out of the window. Brucklacher told deputies that he was in possession of a firearm and threatened to kill the 26-year-old victim and deputies with it. Brucklacher then began barricading the exits of the residence and continued to prevent the victim from leaving.

Humboldt County SWAT, the Humboldt County Crisis Negotiation Team and the HCSO Bearcat were deployed to assist in rescuing the victim and negotiating with the suspect for a peaceful surrender. Residences adjacent to the suspect’s location were evacuated and nearby residents were instructed to shelter in place for safety purposes. After approximately two hours, the victim was able to escape through a window of the residence. Deputies brought the victim to safety and then continued to negotiate with Brucklacher for a peaceful surrender.

Crisis negotiators continued to attempt contact with Brucklacher for approximately four more hours until a search warrant was obtained to make entry into the residence. Utilizing a robot, deputies were able to determine Brucklacher’s location inside. Just after 12:30 a.m., SWAT deputies deployed tear gas into the residence and Brucklacher surrendered to deputies. Neither deputies, Brucklacher or the public were injured during this incident. The female victim sustained minor injuries from Brucklacher.

Brucklacher was treated on scene for exposure to tear gas and then was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of false imprisonment (PC 236), inflicting corporal injury on a spouse (PC 273.5(a)) and resisting arrest (PC 148(a)(1)). He is currently being held without bail.

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

Earlier Chapter: Hostage Situation in McKinleyville, Male Barricaded, Female ‘Begging to Leave’