PREVIOUSLY:

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On July 19, 2026, at approximately 11:50 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of Reasor Road in McKinleyville for the report of a shooting.

While deputies were en route, they received updated information indicating the shooting had occurred behind McKinleyville High School and that a victim had sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. Deputies located the 24-year-old victim and immediately began rendering medical aid by applying a tourniquet until emergency medical personnel arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation revealed that, following a verbal altercation, 18-year-old Dameon Bradfield brandished a firearm and fired approximately four to five rounds at the victim, striking the victim once in the leg before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

Deputies conducted an extensive investigation that included collecting numerous witness statements and reviewing video surveillance, including footage from Flock Safety cameras. Through the course of the investigation, Bradfield was identified as the suspect.

At the time of the incident, Bradfield was on formal juvenile probation and was monitored with a court-ordered GPS ankle monitor. Deputies contacted a Humboldt County Juvenile Probation Officer who advised that the GPS monitor was actively pinging at a residence located in the 1700 block of Stromberg Avenue in Arcata.

Based on the investigation, deputies obtained a search warrant and arrest warrant for Bradfield for the following charges:

  • PC 664/187(a)-Attempted murder

  • PC 245(a)(2)-Assault with a firearm

  • PC 25800(a)-Carry a loaded firearm w/ intent to commit a felony

  • PC 25850(a)-Carry a loaded firearm in public under specific circumstances

  • PC 29800(a)(1)-Felon/addict possess firearm

With the assistance of the Arcata Police Department and Cal Poly Humboldt University Police Department, deputies responded to the Stromberg Ave residence and a surround-and-call-out was conducted, and Bradfield exited the residence, where he was taken into custody without incident.

Bradfield was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on the above listed charges.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the California Highway Patrol, Arcata Police Department, Cal Poly Humboldt University Police Department and the Humboldt County Juvenile Probation Department for their assistance in this case.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip Line at (707) 268-2539.