Yesterday's reckless armed driver is a convicted felon

On July 25, 2023, at about 10:30 p.m., Officers with the Eureka Police Department responded to the 200 block of Dollison St. for the report that a man had threatened suicide, stated he had a firearm, and left in a vehicle while appearing to be under the influence. 

Minutes later, officers located the vehicle near 6th and E Streets and began to follow it.  The driver then stopped the vehicle in the roadway near 3rd and K Streets. While officers were preparing to approach, a single gun shot was heard coming from the vehicle. The driver fled and stopped again near 5th and N Streets. Roads were shut down in the area while announcements were made attempting to get the male to exit the vehicle. 

After several minutes, the male fled in the vehicle towards HWY 255 and the Samoa Bridges. Officers pursued while CHP successfully deployed a spike strip near the Mad River Slough Bridge. The driver continued towards Arcata driving with blown out tires. 

Once in Arcata, the driver collided with an uninvolved occupied vehicle. No injuries were reported. The male ultimately came to a stop near the 2100 block of Frederick St. in Arcata and exited the vehicle with a rifle. Officers gave commands and the male eventually threw the rifle and began to run towards a house. An EPD Sergeant deployed his taser and the male was taken into custody without further incident. 

The 61-year-old male was found to be suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound which is suspected to have occurred when the shot was heard near 3rd and K Streets in Eureka. The male was transported to the hospital by ambulance. Due to the medical nature of this incident, the male’s name is not being released at this time.

Charges for reckless evasion, felon in possession of a firearm, and prohibited person in possession of ammunition will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for review. 

The Eureka Police Department would like to thank all of the agencies who assisted with this incident.