Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Feb. 14, 2019, at about 5:14 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a medical office on the 2800 block of Harris Street, in the county’s jurisdiction of Eureka, for the report of a male subject brandishing a hatchet at employees, then leaving the business on foot.

Sheriff’s deputies responding to the incident contacted the subject, 30-year-old Jamael Brandon Lowery of Eureka, who was carrying the hatchet nearby on Wilson Street. Lowery was detained and searched per his probation terms, which also prohibited the possession of firearms or other deadly weapons and ordered Lowery to abstain from alcohol. During a search, Lowery was found to be in possession of an additional two folding knives and was found to be possibly under the influence of alcohol.

Deputies then contacted the reporting employee and learned that at about 4 p.m. Lowery entered the office and demanded a bandage. Lowery then reportedly removed the hatchet from his pocket and threatened employees with it. Lowery was given the bandage and left the office. Approximately one hour later, Lowery then confronted an employee outside the office as the employee was leaving. Lowery reportedly charged at the employee while holding the hatchet. The employee was able to get inside his vehicle and call law enforcement.

While being transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for booking, Lowery became combative, causing extensive damage to the transporting deputy’s patrol car.

Lowery was booked into the correctional facility without further incident on charges of criminal threats, felony vandalism, exhibiting a deadly weapon other than a firearm, disorderly conduct under the influence and violation of probation, in addition to a felony parole hold.