Connor Whited arrested for assault in Opera Alley

(Whited)

EPD Captain Brian Stephens released an update on October 19 about the assault in Opera Alley. I was at the scene while EPD was collecting evidence. Last week, I checked on the autopsy and if there were any toxicology results and that information is not back yet.

Update:

Over the course of this Homicide investigation the Eureka Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), with assistance from many sections within EPD, have been following up on several leads into the September 26 assault on Brett Keiling.  On October 19, 2019, CID, working in conjunction with our Community Safety Enhancement Team (CSET), identified the suspect as Connor Whited (22), from Nashville, Tennessee.   An arrest warrant was obtained and at approximately 1:00 p.m. today, Whited was located by a member of CSET and taken into custody without incident.  

Whited was transported and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for murder and is being held on a million-dollar bond. 

The investigation has revealed that this was not a random act of violence and Keiling was the intended target of the assault.

This is still a very active investigation and further information will be released as appropriate.  Anyone who has information about this crime should contact Sr. Detective Ron Harpham at 707-441-4305 or rharpham@ci.eureka.ca.gov. 

(Photo: John Chiv)

On September 26, 2019, at about 5:25 a.m., an EPD Sergeant patrolling Opera Alley located an injured man.

The 55-year-old male, who recently moved here from Indiana, was transported to a local hospital for emergency care.  Investigators  determined that the man's injuries were from an assault that occurred at about 4:15 a.m.

On October 11, EPD provided an update. The victim was identified as Brett Keiling. He passed away as a result of the injuries received during the assault.  This is now an active homicide investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for October 11, 2019.

Previous post:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/09/three-police-cars-2-blocking-opera-alley.html?m=1