Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 2, 2020, at about 6:20 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a local hospital for the report of a possible gunshot victim.

Deputies arrived on scene and learned that a 37-year-old male victim and his partner had been walking in the wooded area near West End Road and the Arcata Community Forest when the victim was shot in the neck with a pellet rifle by unknown suspect(s). The victim reportedly did not see the suspect(s) prior to being shot and told first responders that he believed the shooting to possibly be accidental by individuals target practicing.

The victim was flown to an out-of-area hospital for emergency treatment in critical condition.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office requests any individuals conducting target practice or shooting a pellet rifle in the afternoon hours of November 2 near West End Road or the Arcata Community Forest to please contact Deputy Buihner at 707-445-7251.

This case is still 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.