UPDATE 1/16: Photos from the scene:

On the curb in cuffs in the foreground is the girl who took the gun from the guy that allegedly pulled it out. In the background, on the ground facing the camera is the guy who pulled the gun. Captain Watson is overseeing them. In the foreground in white is Detective Kay Howden. 

UPDATE, 1:40 p.m.: Well, apparently our report this morning was wrong in a couple of particulars. See below.

From the Eureka Police Department:

On 01/014/15 at about 8:47 a.m.., officers with the Eureka Police Department responded to 3rd and A Streets for the report of a disturbance with the possible discharge of a firearm. 

Upon arrival, officers interviewed numerous witnesses and determined that an argument between two males resulted in one of the males pulling a concealed handgun and brandishing it at the other.  The male who brandished the handgun was identified as Vanya Hummel, 18 of Shasta. 

A group of bystanders surrounded and overpowered Hummel, ultimately taking the handgun away.  During the removal of the handgun, Hummel said that it was only a BB gun.  A female bystander took the handgun, pointed it at the ground, and pulled the trigger to confirm Hummel’s statement.  The handgun discharged and fired an actual bullet into the ground. 

The handgun was later determined to be a 40 caliber pistol.  Hummel was taken to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked for possession of a concealed and loaded firearm.

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The Eureka Police Department went into high alert a little before 9 a.m. today, after receiving a call reporting that a woman had fired a handgun near the corner of Third and A streets.

It appears that the woman fired into the air in order to break up a fight between two men, at least one of whom was armed with a pipe. [CORRECTED: See above.] Officers arriving at the scene shortly afterwards spoke with the woman and canceled the emergency response.

EPD Public Information Officer Brittany Powell just told the Outpost that officers are still investigating the incident, but that it appears no one was injured. She was not certain if any arrests have been made yet, but she anticipates that the department will release more information shortly.