The Eureka Police Department responded to a report from a male juvenile that he had suffered a significant laceration to his neck early Monday morning, January 22nd, and needing immediate medical attention after being assaulted by an adult male family member according to a Eureka Police Department press release.
After the juvenile was located by officers, he was transported to a local medical facility for treatment of severe but not life-threatening wounds. The juvenile told officers the assault occurred at a residence on Union Street in Eureka, and that there were additional occupants and juveniles in the home who had been threatened and were in danger.
While in the residence after officers entered checking for additional occupants and victims, officers learned the male suspect had moved the rest of the occupants into a second-story bedroom where he had barricaded himself and was holding them hostage.
Additional resources were requested and attempted to negotiate with the suspect. Just after 7:40am, the Eureka Police Department issued a shelter in place notification that was sent out to local residences and businesses immediately adjacent to the incident location as the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics Team as well as the Crisis Negotiation Team were requested and responded to the scene.
Negotiations continued throughout the day until all four hostages, one adult female and three male juveniles ranging in ages from 4-12 years old, were safely removed from the residence at approximately 1:00pm. One of the juveniles had a large laceration to the side of his neck caused by the male suspect, received treatment for his injury which was non-life threatening and all the juveniles were transported to a local medical facility and evaluated and were then released into the custody of Child Welfare Services.
The male suspect, identified as 43 year old Daniel Martinez of Eureka, was non-compliant and refused to surrender and exit the room as the Crisis Negotiation Team and the suspect mediated for four more hours.
A Ramey Warrant was obtained by Eureka Police Department detectives for the suspect’s arrest for the felony assault on the first male juvenile. Just before 5:00pm, contact with the suspect was made, and an officer involved shooting occurred. The male suspect was struck by gunfire. Emergency Services staged on scene, responded directly to the residence and immediate life-saving measures were employed by members of the SWAT team and medical personnel. The suspect was transported to a local medical facility where he succumbed to his injuries.
Two members of the Humboldt County SWAT team have been identified as having fired their firearms during the officer involved shooting. Both are deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and have been placed on paid special leave, as is protocol for their agency.
The Humboldt County Critical Incident Response Team, led by the Eureka Police Department and the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, was activated to investigate this incident. This investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
