Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release: 

 

Starting at about 5:00 PM on Thursday, 11/09/17, dispatch received four 911 calls regarding “Shots heard” in the area of Friends of the Dunes on Stamps Lane in Manila. Deputies responded and contacted numerous concerned citizens who were starting to arrive for the annual “Lantern Walk” through the dunes. Several individuals said they heard bullets “whizzing” over their heads and a few individuals said one or two bullets struck a nearby tree where they were standing in the parking lot. One individual said she saw a muzzle flash coming from across HWY 255.

The general consensus was that they heard three to four volleys of gunshots for a total of ten to fifteen rounds. One individual said the gunshots sounded like .22 rounds. Deputies spoke with the coordinator of the event who said everyone “sheltered in place” when they began hearing the gunshots. The coordinator canceled the event.

Deputies checked the area extensively for any suspicious subjects. No one was located. Deputies spoke with three to four individuals who reside on Peninsula Drive who indicated they heard the gunshots and they agreed with the above individual’s assessment of shots heard.

Deputies checked the area on foot for any evidence, including spent rounds, but with negative results. Deputies returned to Friends of the Dunes and updated the coordinator with this information.