Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Aug. 15, 2024 at about 3:40 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s (HCSO) deputies were dispatched to Bear River Casino in Loleta for the report of a possible shooting nearby.

Upon arrival, deputies began gathering statements from two males who reported that they were shot at from two vehicles—a silver two-door sedan and a large black pickup truck—that were driving by them while they were walking along Brenard Rd. toward Carroll Rd. Bear River Police Department (BRPD) and HCSO deputies teamed up to locate the suspects at a residence in the 100 Block of Carroll Rd.

After failing to obey commands, two suspects were subsequently taken into custody:

• Fernando Martinez, age 26 of Visalia, for violating parole (PC 3056) and resisting arrest (PC 148(a)(1))
• Robert Ellis, age 33 of Loleta, for being a felon in possession of a firearm (PC 29800(a)(1)) and having an unregistered firearm (PC 24610)

Multiple firearms were located at the scene. Madison Carroll, age 23 of Loleta, was determined to be a suspect in this case. On Aug. 15, around 11 a.m., Carroll was located and detained by BRPD to be turned over to HCSO deputies. Carroll was taken into custody for brandishing a firearm (PC 417(a)(2)) and discharging a firearm (PC 246.3(a)).

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.

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