Early Friday morning, April 15th, 2022, officers with the Eureka Police Department responded to report of several people fleeing from the parking lot of a motel on 4th Street after what reportedly sounded to be a gunshot at 1:15am.
Officers located a spent shell casing and one unfired round on the ground at the scene upon arrival, and several people contacted were uncooperative and denied any knowledge of a shooting. Video surveillance was reviewed and it was determined that a heated altercation had taken place.
During the altercation, a male suspect retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and fired a single shot toward an additional male, and all parties immediately then fled the area. Based on the surveillance and statements made, it was determined that no victims were struck or injured.
Officers were able to obtain a detailed suspect and vehicle description from the surveillance and with assistance from the Arcata Police Department, the involved vehicle was located at a Motel in Arcata.
On Saturday, Eureka Police Officers responded to the motel in Arcata with a signed search warrant and executed search warrants on both the motel room and vehicle. The male suspect associated with the vehicle and shooting was contacted and identified as 44 year old Rashad Blanchard of Los Angeles. 41 year old Sharon Grim of Los Angeles was also contacted.
During the search, officers located 3 pounds of methamphetamine, packaging material, digital scales, and 10 pounds of marijuana.
Blanchard was arrested for possession of controlled substances for sales and parole violation. Grim was arrested for possession of controlled substances for sales. Both were transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.
The shooting incident remains an ongoing investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Eureka Police Department.
