Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On July 1, 2020, at about 12:31 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a local hospital for the report of a gunshot victim that had just arrived.

Deputies responded to the hospital and learned that the 50-year-old male victim was reportedly retrieving his firearm for cleaning at a property in the Willow Creek area when the firearm fell and accidentally discharged. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the face.

The victim was later transported to an out of area hospital for further treatment.

This incident is under investigation.

Anyone with information about this case 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.