Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On 07-21-2013, approximately 5:15 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an assault with a deadly weapon and a fight in progress in the 5900 block of Rhonerville Road, Fortuna. Fortuna Police responded to assist and arrived before deputies. When the Fortuna Officers arrived they located the suspect, later identified as Jason Passerini, 34 years old, who was still on the property and was fighting with a male victim. Passerini fought with the Fortuna Police Officers until a Taser was used to subdue him.

When the deputy arrived he spoke with two victims. The first victim, a 47 year old male who resided in a nearby residence, told the deputy at approximately 5:00 a.m., he was awakened by a phone call from his neighbor, the second victim, a 45 year old female. She told him a male subject (Passerini) knocked on her door and then began wandering on the property which she shares with the male victim. The male victim exited his home to look for Passerini and located him lying down near his fence line. When he asked Passerini what he was doing, Passerini got up and threw a knife at him striking him in the chest. The male victim was uninjured from the knife due to the angle in which it struck him. Passerini then attacked the male victim with his fists, and an altercation ensured. During the altercation Passerini attempted to poke the victim’s eyes out and bit the victim’s finger. The female victim exited her home and saw the fight and came to assist her neighbor, she was kicked by Passerini. Fortuna Police arrived and took Passerini into custody.

The deputy recovered a fixed bladed knife where the male victim said Passerini threw a knife at him.

Passerini was transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, resisting an executive officer and providing false information to a police officer. His bail is set at $50,000.00.

The male victim told deputies he would be seeking medical attention for the bite on his finger. The female victim was uninjured.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.