PREVIOUSLY:

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From the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:

In the early morning hours of Aug. 21, 2016, at 12:40 a.m., a California Department of Fish and Wildlife warden was shot at as he attempted to stop a vehicle containing multiple persons suspected of spotlighting. The wildlife officer was not hit. Spotlighting is an act of poaching when a person shines a bright light into an animal’s eyes at night, freezing them in place, then shooting it. 

As the wildlife officer attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on the suspect vehicle near Redwood House Road near Highway 36, at least one of the occupants opened fire on him and they fled the scene in the vehicle. The wildlife officer pursued the vehicle and called for backup while relaying vehicle and suspect information. The suspects continued firing at him as he pursued. The suspects ultimately crashed their vehicle into a tree and fled into the night. Due to the presence of multiple suspects, their intent on shooting him, and lack of immediate assistance, the warden waited for help before continuing the search. Multiple agencies responded to the call for assistance from the Wildlife Officer. The suspects were not located as of today. 

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is the lead on the investigation.  Anyone with information about the case or whereabouts of the suspects is asked to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.