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• Big Police Presence on Broadway as First Responders Deal With Person Apparently Barricaded Inside the Flamingo Motel

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Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

On October 9, 2025, at approximately 10:55 a.m., a Eureka Police Department Community Safety Engagement Team (CSET) Officer responded to the Flamingo Motel, located in the 4200 block of Broadway, for an Agency Assist. The report indicated that a male subject was in an altered state and actively damaging property. A Patrol Officer also responded to assist.

Upon arrival, officers observed the male—later identified as 52-year-old Christopher Slocum of Eureka—actively setting fire to items inside his apartment. During the encounter, Slocum threw an object at officers, striking one. He retreated into the apartment, shut the door, and attempted to ignite additional items. Due to the dangerous and escalating nature of the situation, additional resources were requested, including additional Patrol and CSET Officers, the Crisis Alternative Response of Eureka (CARE), Humboldt Bay Fire (HBF), and City Ambulance.

Upon their arrival, Slocum barricaded himself inside the bathroom. Although the fire appeared to have been extinguished, smoke and powder from a deployed fire extinguisher remained present. To aid visibility and facilitate potential entry, windows were opened and HBF personnel deployed water into the room. Officers, including members of the county-wide Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT), made multiple attempts to communicate with Slocum and gain his voluntary compliance. Despite ongoing negotiation efforts, Slocum refused to cooperate and remained barricaded.

After more than two hours of failed negotiations, officers deployed a chemical agent into the bathroom. The agent was ineffective, and Slocum continued to resist surrender. Officers ultimately made entry into the bathroom and took Slocum into custody. Following his arrest, Slocum was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance. While at the hospital, he assaulted medical personnel by spitting on staff.

Slocum was subsequently booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for arson, felony resisting a peace officer, and violation of probation.

Additional charges are being requested for assault on medical staff. No other victims were involved in this incident aside from the officer who was struck during the initial response and the medical staff who were assaulted.

The Eureka Police Department thanks all partner agencies for their support in resolving this incident safely and professionally.