Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On May 2, 2026, at approximately 5:01 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a report of a stabbing in the 2700 block of Pine Creek Road in Hoopa.

While deputies were en route, dispatch advised that the reporting party stated he had been physically attacked by his uncle, and in response a stabbing occurred. Deputies arrived on scene and contacted the reporting party, identified as 31-year-old Travis Watson, outside the residence.

Additional responding deputies located a male victim inside the residence and immediately began life-saving measures until emergency medical personnel arrived. Despite these efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene and was pronounced deceased by paramedics.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes investigators responded and assumed the investigation. Based on the investigation, including statements and physical evidence collected at the scene, Watson was arrested for PC 187(a) – Murder and was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

The decedent has been identified by the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office as 34-year-old James Luther Vernon Williams, and his next of kin have been notified.

This case remains an active investigation, and no additional information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity 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.