Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release: 

On 02-02-2015 at about 7:45 p.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a report, regarding shots being fired after a verbal argument at a residence located in the 3100 block of Nelson Lane, Fortuna. When deputies arrived at the residence they spoke to the male victim age 39.

The victim told the deputies he went to Cory Thomas Woolley’s residence to discuss personal issues with him. The victim said he yelled for Woolley to come outside to the gate on the driveway to talk to him. The victim said that Woolley came outside with a handgun and fired several rounds into the ground and then fled back into his residence. The victim said he was not injured. The victim said he then called the police and waited on scene for them to arrive. After the victim’s statement deputies asked him to leave the area.

The Sheriff’s Office then set up a perimeter on the residence and called Woolley on his telephone. At first Woolley did not answer his telephone. Eventually Woolley answered his telephone and stated he was not at his home. Woolley stated that he had walked to the Fortuna Police Department to turn himself into law enforcement.

The Fortuna Police Department took Woolley into custody without incident. Woolley told officers where he had hidden his .40 caliber handgun and it was recovered and booked into evidence.

Woolley age 45 was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility in Eureka where he was booked for assault with a deadly weapon and for exhibiting a firearm. Woolley’s bail was set at $100,000 dollars. Woolley later posted bail and was released from custody with a assigned a court date to appear in Humboldt County Superior Court for his arresting charges.

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 Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.