[UPDATE 11:18 a.m.] Shots Fired Near the Humboldt / Trinity County Line

On the evening of Saturday, May 22nd, just after 6:30 p.m. emergency personnel were alerted to a traffic collision with shots fired on County Line Creek Road off of Highway 36 near the Humboldt / Trinity County line.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies responded to the call along with CHP and the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, though it was determined that the incident occurred on the Humboldt County side of the county line.

Initial scanner traffic reports stated that two suspects had broken a gate to gain entry to a property that had previously been vandalized. The suspects were spotted by an individual on the property doing a property check due to the history of vandalism.

Upon spotting the suspects in a side-by-side utility vehicle, the individual attempted to chase the suspects in another vehicle. The suspects shot at the individual, striking the individual’s vehicle, though the individual remained unharmed according to Sergeant Mowrey of the HCSO.

At some point a collision occurred and the side-by-side was abandoned. The suspects fled on foot. A CHP search helicopter was requested but it is unclear if they assisted in the search.

Law enforcement located the side-by-side without any plates.

HCSO Sergeant Sherrod told us that the suspects have not been apprehended at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

Please remember that this investigation is unfolding. Information is being released as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.

UPDATE 11:18 a.m.: The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department sent us this more complete account of what occurred.

On May 21, 2022, at about 6:30 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a property on the 4300 block of County Line Creek Road, near Dinsmore, for the report of a traffic collision and shots fired. The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol were also dispatched to assist.

Deputies arrived in the area and contacted an involved individual, a 23-year-old male resident of the property. The man told deputies that he had pursued a side-by-side utility vehicle occupied by two unknown individuals he believed had been involved in a vandalism on his property. During his pursuit of the side-by-side, the man’s vehicle reportedly collided with the utility vehicle. At some point during this incident, gunfire was reportedly exchanged. The man was not injured during this incident. The two individuals involved with the side-by-side fled prior to deputies’ arrival and it is unknown if they sustained injuries as a result of this incident.

This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information related to this incident or the identities of the two unknown individuals should contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

This article is written by Lisa Music, a local freelance journalist. To reach Lisa about tips, questions or comments, email her at [email protected]