Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Feb. 2, 2021, at about 10 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 800 block of S. Westhaven Drive in Westhaven for the report of a domestic disturbance with shots fired.

After arriving in the area, deputies made contact with one male victim. The victim told deputies that he had arrived at the residence while a disturbance was occurring and was confronted outside by the suspect, 35-year-old Walter Wayne Wright. According to the victim, Wright reportedly pointed a firearm at him and threatened to kill him. The victim was able to flee the scene in his vehicle, however, as the victim was leaving the property, Wright reportedly fired his weapon, striking the victim’s vehicle. The victim was not injured during this incident.

Deputies attempted to contact the individuals inside of the residence, however, the persons inside refused to comply with deputies’ requests to exit. Due to the unknown status of additional victims and location of Wright, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiation Team were requested to assist.

Teams negotiated with the individuals inside of the residence for approximately three hours. During this time, deputies learned that Wright had possibly fled the residence prior to deputy arrival. At approximately 12:51 p.m., a community member contacted the HCSO Emergency Communications Center with information regarding Wright’s whereabouts. Following up on this information, deputies responded to the 5200 block of Dows Prairie Road where they located Wright and took him into custody without incident.

Following Wright’s arrest and negotiations with the Crisis Negotiation Team, the individuals inside the residence agreed to exit and speak with deputies. Deputies confirmed that all involved parties were accounted for and that there were no injured persons on scene.  

Wright was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of attempted murder (PC 664/187), assault with a firearm on a person (PC 245(a)(2)), possession of a firearm within 10 years of conviction (PC 29805(A)(1)) and possession of a firearm with knowledge of an outstanding warrant (PC 29805(A)(2)), in addition to warrant charges for driving on a suspended license (VC 14601.2(a)), driving without insurance (VC 16028(a)), no evidence of current registration (VC 4000(a)(1)) and violation of probation.

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.