###

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Oct. 27, 2020, at about 4:24 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 1100 block of Chance Lane in McKinleyville for the report of a stabbing victim.

Deputies responded to the area and made contact with the 34-year-old male stabbing victim, providing lifesaving first aid until medical crews arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.

During their investigation, deputies learned that the stabbing had been the result of an apparent road rage incident occurring on Haven Lane, in which the victim reportedly confronted the 24-year-old male suspect who had given him the middle finger gesture while driving. During the confrontation, the suspect reportedly stabbed the victim. Following the stabbing, both the suspect and the victim left the scene separately.

While deputies were investigating, the male suspect contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office to provide a statement regarding this incident. The suspect told deputies that he had stabbed the victim out of self-defense. Sheriff’s deputies collected evidence from the suspect, and he was later released at the scene.

This case is still under investigation and no arrests have been made. The case will be forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review and charging decisions.

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.