Humboldt Co. Sheriff Press Release:

On 1/4/12 at 10:30 p.m. Sheriff Deputies assigned to the Hoopa area were dispatched to a reported stabbing near the 37000 block SR 96, Orleans. Upon arrival witnesses directed the Deputies into a residence where they found a 30-year-old male lying on a couch. The man was in obvious pain and the Deputy saw what appeared to be a severe laceration/puncture wound to his lower back area. EMS arrived on scene and began treating the victim.

The victim told the Deputies that he was visiting at a friend’s home when he heard a loud commotion outside and went out to investigate. The victim walked to an area near the Orleans Senior Center where the noise of people yelling could be heard. At some point a male suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Richard Myers jumped out of some nearby bushes and ran toward the male victim. Myers then struck the victim in the head knocking him to ground. During this altercation and while the victim tried to get up and run away, he felt a sharp pain in this back. The victim ran back to the friend’s home where he discovered that he had been stabbed in the back. The victim did not know why Richard Meyers attacked him.

Through further investigation and evidence collection, Deputies discovered that suspect Myers lived nearby at a residence at the end of Asip Lane, Orleans. Deputies responded to the suspect’s residence and knocked on the front door. At that time Richard Myers attempted to run out of the back door of the home. A Deputy covering the back portion of the home saw Myers exit the residence with an unknown type of rifle. The Deputy ordered Suspect Myers to the ground and he complied. Myers was taken into custody without further resistance.

Richard Myers was arrested and charged for Assault with a Deadly weapon, violation of probation, and felon in possession of a firearm.

After further interviews, the suspect’s 19-year-old sister, Ashley Myers was also arrested at the scene for being an accessory to the crime.

The male victim was transported to the hospital for treatment and his condition is unknown at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this assault is requested to call the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office at

707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line 707-268-2539.