John Chiv: Female victim in McMullen motel homicide 19 years old, shot involved in death believed to be semi automatic rifle

Jun 30, 2016

Female victim in McMullen motel homicide 19 years old, shot involved in death believed to be semi automatic rifle

Eureka Police Department held a press conference this afternoon at 4:30 regarding the homicide at the McCullens motel this morning.

Two firearms were seized by EPD. One shotgun,one semi automatic rifle, the latter believed to be the weapon used in the shooting.

7-10 gunshots fired. The female victim who died at the hospital "suffered a single gun shot wound to the torso."

While the police know that the shooting was a result of the dispute between two men, one who drove the female to the hospital, they do not kbow details of the dispute or the relationship between the male and female.

Name of victim being withheld until next of kin notified. Name of suspect will be released but not right now as ongoing investigation.

Captain Brian Stephens requested that even if media learns any information in social media to hold off until next morning so tgey can wrap up their interviews with witnesses.

EPD Press Release:

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.