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The suspect in the OIS shooting that had a loaded firearm in the incident this Sunday near the Ingomar Club and the Humboldt library is well known to law enforcement. His name is Matthew Williams. I won't link the previous 2021 post about the suspect but the least EPD could do is release is where they are in their investigation. I assume 5 days later, all eye witnesses to the incident have been interviewed. EPD issued a press release on on 12/1 and confirmed the suspect is Matthew Williams.
I am not going to reveal how I know the name but Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery, don't ask Asst. Chief Brian Stephens to go ask EPD officers or checking on them like you did in the past because you were wrong then and you would be incorrect now. They are not my source or sources.
Because you did that Miles, I am forced to state this disclaimer. Misusing your position Miles to impede the only local journalist doing independent reporting is not smart. Do you follow the same rules Miles? Can you and others in this County claim that you all never talk, leak to certain media?
According to NCJ's Thaddeus, EPD Asst. Chief Stephens said the identity of the suspect and officers involved and some additional information would most likely be released today or tomorrow, so my post naming the suspect isn't a big deal. That was the only original few lines in Thad's regurgitation of the press release where as usual, he adds a byline. Even LOCO doesnt pass off a press release with a byline.
Thad is too busy at his desk typing up PRAs to jam up law enforcement officers or having his buddies at the Public Defender throw him useless stories about court cases that work for their agenda. Actual reporting requires work, time,cultivating leads and knowing what the public wants to read.
EPD Press Release (12/1):
This press release is an update to the November 26, 2023 officer involved shooting with information current as of today. On November 26, 2023, at about 9:36 a.m., a Eureka Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for expired registration, on M Street, north of 2nd Street. When the vehicle stopped, the right front passenger immediately exited the vehicle and began fleeing on foot; the male ran east along a walkway north of the Ingomar Club and towards the northside of the Humboldt County Library. The officer conducting the traffic stop did not pursue the male.
While the officer who conducted the traffic stop remained with the vehicle and its two occupants, nearby officers responded to check the vicinity for the male who fled. An officer located the male as he was attempting to scale a fence to the north side of the Clara Mayberry Park, which was closed. Utilizing verbal commands, the officer attempted to gain voluntary compliance for the male to stop. However, the male refused to comply and a physical altercation ensued.
A second officer arrived to assist. The male then produced a pistol which he held in his right hand. During the altercation, the male was able to manipulate the firearm’s slide, chambering a live round.
At this point during the altercation, shots were fired by officers and the male was struck by the gunfire. It’s unknown at this time if the male fired his handgun during the altercation.
The male was then quickly detained and life-saving efforts were immediately provided by officers followed closely by Humboldt Bay Fire. The male succumbed to his injuries while on scene. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed which will provide further details on the extent of the male’s injuries. The male has been identified as 31-year-old Cutten resident, Matthew Robert Williams.
Williams was found to be in possession of 42 grams of fentanyl, a large amount of cash, and had several outstanding felony warrants for his arrest. The firearm Williams possessed has been determined to be a ghost gun. (A ghost gun is an un-serialized and untraceable firearm.)
The officer that conducted the original traffic stop left that location to assist the officers who had been involved in the shooting. The vehicle and occupants left the area and were later located by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The occupants were interviewed and the vehicle was towed as evidence.
The shooting was captured on one of the officer’s body worn camera. However, the body camera from the second officer suffered a malfunction and did not capture the incident.
All body worn camera and audio footage will be released in accordance with state law.
One officer has over 7 years of experience in law enforcement. The second officer has over 4 years of experience in law enforcement. Their names will be released at a later time in accordance with state law. Both officers suffered minor injuries as a result of the altercation and incident. The officers have both been placed on paid Administrative Leave per department protocol.
As is standard protocol within Humboldt County, the multi-agency Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is handling the criminal investigation. Upon completion, the investigation will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for review.
Eureka Police Department has initiated an Internal Shooting Review that will run concurrent with the criminal investigation being conducted by CIRT. The Internal Shooting Review determines whether involved officers followed departmental policy, identifies potential policy and procedural changes, and any training needs. Once completed, this report will be reviewed by the City of Eureka Independent Police Auditor (IPA) who will report to the Community Oversight on Police Practices (COPP) board.
This is an on-going investigation. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Bailey with the Eureka Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at 707- 441-4215 or DA Investigator G. Hill at 707-268-2553.
Previous posts:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/11/suspect-in-ois-shooting-had-loaded.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/11/epd-and-humboldt-fire-near-humboldt.html?m=1
Related post (Williams):
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/10/williams-and-perry-were-just-arrested.html?m=1
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