From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Sunday, April 24, 2016, at about 3:45 a.m., Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff’s received a report of a possible assault with a deadly weapon and shots fired. Deputies spoke with the 53 year old female victim at her residence. The victim stated she was told her ex-boyfriend, 51 year old Russell Gerald Barnett, and his girlfriend, 31 year old Kari Ann Vanderruit, were near the 5900 block of Rancho Sequoia Dr, Alderpoint.
The victim stated she decided to confront Barnett in regards to personal issues. The victim drove her vehicle and came upon Barnett and Vanderruit in Venderruit’s vehicle along the side of the road. The victim told deputies she followed Barnett and Vanderruit up Rancho Sequoia Dr. Vanderruit was driving the vehicle and turned the vehicle around and drove into the victim’s vehicle causing damage to the front of both vehicles. The victim told deputies she then got out of her vehicle and saw Barnett pull out a firearm and shot at her several times. The suspects then drove off.
Deputies searched the area and located Barnett and Vanderruit at the Brass Rail Inn in Redway. Deputies were unable to locate the firearm reportedly used in this incident. Barnett was arrested for domestic violence, and assault with a deadly weapon and his bail has been set at $100,000. Vanderruit was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and her bail has been set at $50,000. Both were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked for the above charges. The victim was not injured during this incident.
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.