51 year old Shawn Kolpak arrested by APD for attempted murder

51 year old Shawn Kolpak arrested by APD for attempted murder.

Since there is no booking photo to compare with HCSO offline on Vinelink and no photo on the Linkedin and Facebook profile, difficult to add any more information unless I can verify.

APD Press Release:

On the morning of January 30, 2026, officers with the Arcata Police Department were dispatched to the area of Trail 5 in the Arcata Community Forest, between Diamond Drive and California Avenue, for a report of an adult male with facial injuries.

Responding officers located a 75-year-old, male, Arcata resident, with severe head injuries on Trail 5. Emergency medical personnel responded, and the victim was transported to St. Joseph Hospital before being flown out of the area for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Due to the severity of the injuries and the circumstances surrounding the incident, the Arcata Police Department's Investigations Unit assumed responsibility for the case.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined the incident was an intentional assault and identified 51-year-old Shawn Kolpak as a suspect.

In the early morning of January 31, 2026, Arcata Police officers located Kolpak in his vehicle on the 700 block of 13th St. in Arcata. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of attempted murder (Penal Code 664/187(a)).

This incident is believed to be isolated, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. Redwood Park remains open to the public.

The Arcata Police Department would like to thank community members who assisted in the investigation and helped ensure the safety of the community.