PREVIOUSLY: Weekend Shooting Incidents in Arcata, Hoopa and McKinleyville; Sheriff’s Office Investigating Possible Connections Between Them All

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

In December 2024, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies responded to multiple shooting incidents. Investigations were launched and a suspect, Dauwin Poe, 19, of McKinleyville, was identified as the suspected shooter. Poe has now been taken into custody on several charges relating to shootings in Humboldt County and the City of Eureka’s jurisdiction. 

On Dec. 28 around 12 a.m., Poe and Cote Lincoln, 38, of Hoopa, got into an altercation with several individuals at Toni’s 24-Hour Restaurant, Arcata. Several individuals involved in the altercation left the restaurant and fled the area at a high rate of speed. One of the involved parties in the altercation fled in their vehicle to the McKinleyville area. Poe and Lincoln were identified as pursuing the subject’s vehicle into McKinleyville. Once the vehicles passed the 1300 block of Central Ave., Poe shot at the subject’s vehicle. Both vehicles then dispersed the area and the Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate. No one was injured in this shooting incident. 

On Dec. 28 around 11 p.m., Poe was present during a physical altercation involving several adult males that occurred in Hoopa near the Hoopa Modular Building plant. During that altercation, one 23-year-old male sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to the chest and side area, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Poe was positively identified as the person responsible for shooting the victim.

Poe is also a suspect in a shooting incident being investigated by the Eureka Police Department (EPD), wherein a shooting occurred on 3rd St. in Eureka on Dec. 27, just a few hours before the incident at Toni’s. EPD placed a BOLO (“be on the lookout”) for Poe. 

On Jan. 9, Poe was located by HCSO deputies at the Humboldt Courthouse and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF) on charges related to an additional incident being investigated by EPD for the following charges:

  • Threats to commit death or great bodily injury—PC 422(a)
  • Exhibit a firearm—PC 417(a)(2)
  • Conspiracy to commit a crime—PC 182(a)(1)

While in custody, Poe continued to be investigated by HCSO investigators for involvement in the shooting incidents. Based upon the corroborating evidence, HCSO investigators were able to add the following charges:

  • Attempted murder—PC 664/187(a)
  • Shooting at inhabited dwelling/vehicle—PC 246
  • Conspiracy to commit a crime—PC 182(a)(1)

On Jan. 11, Lincoln was located and arrested for his involvement in the incident relating to the shooting in the 1300 block of Central Avenue following the altercation at Toni’s. Lincoln was booked at HCCF for the following warrant charges:

  • Conspiracy to commit a crime—PC 1832(a)(1)
  • Shooting at inhabited dwelling/vehicle—PC 246

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.