Suspect in Blue Lake OIS shooting had an arrest warrant for possession of a firearm and was involved in another incident earlier for brandhishing a firearm

 

At 12:38 a.m. today, Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal himself prepated and issued a press release on the officer involved shooting in Blue Lake yesterday. Deputies were serving an arrest warrant on the suspect for felon in possession of the firearm. He was also wanted in connection with another incident for brandishing a firearm. He fled from deputies. For more details on the OIS, read the press release. The suspect was pronounced deceased at a local hospital.

Any additional details and updates depending on when they are released from HCSO will be added to the blog. Even though the initial press release does not state it; it is standard procedure to place the deputies involved on administrative leave. 

I have out to Sheriff Honsal and Lt. Jesse Taylor today. Lt. Taylor confirmed "that three Deputy Sheriff's have been placed on paid special leave, which is standard protocol."

HCSO Press Release:

On July 26, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 1300 block of Glendale Avenue near Blue Lake to serve an arrest warrant on a suspect wanted for felon in possession of a firearm. The suspect was also wanted in connection with a brandishing of a firearm incident that had occurred earlier in the day.

While deputies were staging in a private parking lot near the location, they observed the suspect walk into the roadway in front of them. Deputies pursued the suspect on foot eastbound, where he fled into nearby bushes on the north side of the street. Deputies surrounded the suspect and gave commands for him to surrender.

At that time, an officer-involved shooting occurred. Multiple deputies discharged their service weapons at the suspect. Following a brief standoff, deputies approached, secured the suspect and his firearm, and immediately began rendering life-saving aid. Emergency medical personnel arrived on scene and continued life-saving efforts. The suspect was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The suspect’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Per Humboldt County protocol, the County Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has been activated to investigate this incident. The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office will lead the investigation with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s office, with assistance from investigators representing multiple allied law enforcement agencies.  The 1300 block of Glendale will be shut down for several hours while evidence technicians process the crime scene.   

This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and only limited details are available at this time. Additional information will be released as it becomes available and as the investigation moves forward.