Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release:

On Feb. 1, 2018, at about 9:03 a.m., Humboldt County sheriff’s deputies were called to assist the Fortuna Police Department with a reported stabbing incident that occurred within the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction.

During their investigation, deputies learned that the incident occurred at a rural property near Brannon Mountain Road in the Three Creeks area of Willow Creek. According to the 45-year-old male victim, the suspect, only known as “James”, accused the victim of looking at a female on the property inappropriately. The victim reportedly awoke later that night to the suspect stabbing him with a knife.

The victim was able to escape with multiple stab wounds to the neck and head area. He was later picked up from the property by a friend and taken to Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna for treatment.

The suspect is described as a male in his early twenties, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 160 pounds, red hair with no facial hair or visible tattoos. James was reportedly observed fleeing eastbound on Highway 299 toward Redding, with another male and a female, in a lowered black hatchback.

Anyone with information about 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.