Press release from the City of Rio Dell:

On Thursday, August 29, 2019, at about 6:30 PM, a homicide occurred in the City of Rio Dell. The following information is based on the investigation as of 1:00 AM on August 30 and may change as we learn more about what happened.

A twenty‐six‐year‐old man was driving on Monument Road when he pulled to the curb and got out of his car. The driver of another vehicle; a dark (maybe blue), two‐door Honda (or maybe a Saturn or Acura), fired multiple shots at the victim as he tried to walk away. The victim was struck once in the abdomen. He was transported to Saint Joseph’s Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family is notified. Witnesses described the suspect as a black man with dreadlocks. It is believed that one or more of the windows in the suspect vehicle were damaged.

The Humboldt County Major Crimes Task Force was requested to assist the Rio Dell Police Department with the investigation. Detectives and evidence technicians from numerous Humboldt County law enforcement agencies congregated in Rio Dell to help canvass the neighborhood and gather evidence. Assisting agencies include the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol and the police departments of the cities of Arcata, Eureka, Ferndale and Fortuna. Sergeant John Beauchaine and Detective Jen Taylor are the lead investigators and they can be reached at 764‐5642 if anyone has information about this crime.