Shots Fired on McFarlan Street Last Night? Not Exactly, Says Eureka Police
Eureka Police Department press release:
On March 29, 2017, at about 8:30 p.m., officers with the Eureka Police Department
responded to the 1300 block of McFarlan Street for the report of shots fired toward a
process server attempting to serve civil paperwork.
The victim told officers that he was attempting to contact the occupants of the residence
when he heard what he believed to be shots coming from an upstairs window. The victim
said he then retreated to a nearby business and called the police.
Officers established a perimeter and shut down McFarlan Street from Myrtle to 16th
Street. Dispatch conducted a reverse 911 advising nearby residents to shelter in place.
Ultimately, four people were detained without further incident.
After obtaining a search warrant, detectives searched the residence. Detectives located
two black powder pistols, one unloaded and one that had two chambers that had been
fired. The pistol chambers were loaded with black powder, but no projectiles.
The suspect told detectives he saw the victim on his surveillance system and fired two
blanks into the air from his bathroom window which is located on the opposite side of the
residence from the front door.
Due to the fact that the firearm had no projectile, was never actually seen by the victim,
and there was no threat made to the victim, the incident did not appear to meet the
elements for negligent discharge or any other charge. The case will be presented to the
District Attorney’s Office.