UPDATE, 1:55 p.m.: The suspect in this morning’s double homicide, 28-year-old Bodhi Tree (click here for previous arrest information), has been taken into custody on Shirley Avenue.

Photos by Andrew Goff. (Click to enlarge.) Scroll farther down for an updated APD release.

… and horribly shaky iPhone video taken with the other hand.

Arcata Police Department press release chronicling the day’s events -AG: 

On May 18, 2013, at about 2:00 a.m., the Arcata Police Department responded to the 2400 block of Eye Street on the report of gunshot victims inside the residence.  A female victim was pronounced dead at the scene, the male victim was pronounced dead at Mad River Community Hospital.

The Arcata Police Department conducted an extensive investigation with a suspect being developed.  The investigation led officers to a residence located in the 200 block of Marilyn Avenue, located in the Sunny Brae area of Arcata.  Upon initial contact with the occupants of the residence, the suspect was not located. 

A short time later, citizens in the area notified police of a suspicious subject in the 1700 block of Shirley Blvd, a short distance away from the Marilyn Avenue residence.  Officers responded and located Bodhi Tree, 28 years old of Arcata. Tree was the homicide suspect sought by the police department and he was arrested.

Tree was transported to the Humboldt County Jail and booked for two counts of PC 187 — Murder.

The homicide investigation continues and anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the Arcata Police Department at 822-2424.

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UPDATE, 1:38 p.m.:

Police are currently searching the Sunny Brae area for a suspect in the homicide investigation. Earlier, a home was searched and an arrest made on Marilyn Avenue in connection with the case. The Outpost is on the scene and will be posting information as it comes in.

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UPDATE, 10:37 a.m.: Press release from the Arcata Police Department -AG:

On May 18, 2013, at about 2:00am, the Arcata Police Department received a 9-1-1 telephone call from a residence in the 2400 block of Eye Street. The caller reported hearing multiple gunshots within the residence. Upon investigating, the resident found two acquaintances in another room suffering from gunshot wounds.

APD responded along with fire and medical. A female adult was pronounced dead at the scene. A male adult was transported by ambulance to the Mad River Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The Arcata Police Department is actively investigating and is asking anyone with information to immediately call APD at 822-2424. At this time, no suspect(s) have been arrested.

The identities of the victims are being withheld pending the investigation and notification of victim relatives.

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UPDATE, 10:15 a.m.: The Arcata Eye is on the scene and has a more thorough report.

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ORIGINAL POST:

Friend of the Lost Coast Outpost Travis Turner reports that the Arcata Police Department responded to a location on Eye Street, near the Arcata Police Department Skate Park, at around 2 a.m. this morning in response to a call of shots fired. When they arrived at the location they found two bodies — one male, one female.

Turner, who was at the scene early this morning, spoke with APD personnel and witnessed the coroner’s office removing a body from a house there at about 7:30 a.m. The APD has not yet issued any information on the crime.

KSLG’s John Matthews tells the Lost Coast Outpost that the coroner’s office has confirmed that they retrieved two bodies from the scene this morning, but referred all other questions to the Arcata Police Department.

Photo below by LoCO reader Laura Salerno: