Despite mental health on scene, man making suicidal threats, aimed firearm at officers

I checked with EPD Crime Analyst Brittany Powell who said no press conference scheduled today. This is Ms. Powell's day off so I had also contacted EPD Chief Steve Watson's assistant Katie Hill. She responded, "There is currently not a press conference planned.  The department is looking a doing a video/press release next week."

HCSO said autopsy is scheduled for next week.

EPD Press Release:

On July 23, 2020, at about 5:18 p.m., officers with the Eureka Police Department responded to a residence on the 2800 block of Lowell Street in Eureka for the report of a male making suicidal threats over text message and possibly in possession of a firearm.

Officers arrived on scene and attempted to contact the male.  Due to the severity of the threats, a perimeter was set up and an emergency alert notification was sent out to nearby residents warning to shelter in place.

A County Mental Health Crisis Negotiator responded to the scene to assist with negotiations.  Upon receiving the initial call for service, Fire and Medical were also dispatched and staged nearby.   Officers and the Crisis Negotiator attempted communication for nearly two hours while the male continued to make threats.

At about 7:49 p.m., officers heard what appeared to be gunshots coming from the backyard.  Negotiations continued while the male was observed in the backyard with a firearm. 

At about 8:23 p.m., the male exited his yard into the alley where officers were.  The male was armed with a firearm and refused to comply with officer’s orders to drop the weapon.

The male leveled the firearm at officers and an officer involved shooting took place.  The male was immediately transported to the hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.  No officers were injured during the incident. 

The multi-agency Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) was called out and is actively investigating this incident as an officer involved shooting.  CIRT is comprised of designated representatives from various Humboldt County law enforcement agencies who have specific training in homicide and officer involved shooting investigation.

This is an active investigation and further information will be released as available.