EPD Seeks Arrest Warrant After Alleged Hate-Crime Assault at DHHS Koster Street Office

This is a press release from the Eureka Police Department. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

EPD and CSET responded to the Koster Street building following an altercation between security personnel and patrons inside the building. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

On Monday, November 24, 2025 at approximately 12:28 p.m., Eureka Police Department Patrol and CSET officers were dispatched to a report of a physical altercation involving security personnel at a Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) building in the 900 block of Koster Street. Prior to officers’ arrival, the involved parties had separated. During the subsequent investigation, which included interviews with multiple witnesses, officers learned that 53-year-old Henry Robert James, of Loleta, entered the facility and, after exiting the restroom, engaged in a verbal altercation with a security officer. During this encounter, James reportedly directed racial slurs toward another security officer regarding the officer’s ethnicity and immigration status. When told to leave, James reportedly struck a security officer with his hand and raised a clenched fist in a threatening manner. The security officer pushed James to the ground in response. While on the ground, James allegedly scratched and attempted to bite the security officer, used a pen to stab at the officer, and made derogatory statements regarding the officer’s sexual orientation. The security officer sustained visible injuries. 

As the struggle continued, additional security officers responded to assist. James allegedly attempted to pull responding officers to the ground and attempted to spit on one of them. During the incident, 21-year-old Kylie Renee James, also of Loleta, attempted to push past security officers and reportedly used racial slurs referencing another security officer’s ethnicity and immigration status. 

City Ambulance personnel responded and transported Henry James to a local hospital. 

Based on witness statements and evidence, officers developed probable cause to believe Henry James committed felony assault involving a hate crime. Because he was unable to be medically cleared for booking at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, the Eureka Police Department will coordinate with the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office to obtain a warrant for his arrest. 

Kylie Renee James was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for assault and battery involving a hate crime. 

This case remains under active investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Eureka Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at 707-441-4300. 

Earlier: Altercation at DHHS Office Prompts Law Enforcement and Medical Response in Eureka