Larue.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Tuesday, October 15 at about 4 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies responded to the report of a domestic disturbance with possible shots fired at an apartment complex on Orchard Lane in Redway.

Deputies responded to the location and located a significant amount of blood and other physical evidence which indicated a disturbance had occurred inside one of the apartment units, but it appeared the individuals involved were no longer at the location. The Sheriff’s Office received numerous phone calls from additional reporting parties indicating the involved individuals had fled the location and had been seen traveling southbound on Redwood Drive in a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.

Deputies and law enforcement personnel from numerous agencies canvassed the area and ultimately located the vehicle parked at a residence on Mill Road in Redway. Immediately upon law enforcements arrival, numerous subjects fled on foot into the wooded area south of that location towards Evergreen Road. Law enforcement established a perimeter in the area and began investigative efforts to determine what had conspired.

One of the involved subjects that fled from law enforcement was identified as Joseph Larue, age 38, of Redway. Initial reports identified Larue as the primary aggressor in the initial domestic violence incident, and indicated Larue had been injured during the incident after sustaining a gunshot wound to the face/head. Larue was described as having face/neck tattoos and wearing a dark t-shirt and black or blue jeans during the time of the incident. Larue was also believed to be seen concealing a firearm in his waistband prior to fleeing from law enforcement on foot. A Humboldt Alert was issued to residents in the area indicating the reason for the increased law enforcement presence in the area and instructing them to remain inside their homes.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division and California Highway Patrol were requested to assist with the search/apprehension of Larue. CHP fixed wing and helicopter aerial assets, along with Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s), were utilized to assist SWAT and K9 personnel during the ground search. After an extensive search, in which all available resources were exhausted, law enforcement personnel were unable to locate Larue.

Joseph Larue is described as a white male adult with dark hair, brown eyes, face and neck tattoos, approximately 6’ tall and weighing approximately 185 lbs. He is believed to be armed with a firearm and was last seen wearing a dark t-shirt and black or blue jeans.

As a result of this incident, arrest warrants will be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for Larue for felony domestic violence, resisting arrest, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. Larue is also currently a wanted fugitive associated with felony animal cruelty charges out of Oregon stemming from a January 2024 investigation.

If anyone has information about this crime or Larue’s whereabouts, they should contact the HCSO. Anyone who sees Larue is urged to refrain from approaching him and call 911 immediately.

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.