Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On April 13, 2020, at about 1:18 a.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol in the area of Highway 36 and Demello Road observed a motorcycle seemingly disabled near the side of the road.

As the deputy approached in the patrol vehicle to investigate further, the passenger of the motorcycle shot at the deputy, striking the patrol vehicle’s windshield. The motorcycle then fled eastbound on Highway 36 at a high rate of speed.

The deputy sustained minor injuries as a result of the broken windshield. The deputy pursued the motorcycle, eventually losing sight of the vehicle due to weather and road conditions.

The California Highway Patrol, the Fortuna Police Department and the Arcata Police Department assisted Sheriff’s deputies in searching the area for the motorcycle and suspects but were unable to locate either.

The deputy was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries and was released shortly thereafter.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s help to identify the suspects of this incident.

The motorcycle is described as a black motorcycle with no license plate. The passenger of the motorcycle is described as wearing a dark helmet and a red jacket. No further descriptive information is available about the passenger, driver or motorcycle.

This case is under investigation.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip Line at 707-268-2539.