Public safety reports
ATTEMPTED MURDER >>
Gage James Sand, 18, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after attempting to shoot a 51-year-old man with a firearm on Thursday night, according to a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office release.
Deputies responded to the report of shots fired at a residence near Myrtle Avenue and Indianola Cutoff Road shortly after 5 p.m. Upon arrival, deputies interviewed the uninjured 51-year-old victim who said Sand, a stranger to the victim, confronted him on his property and left. The man told deputies Sand returned, shot at him and fled to a neighboring mobile home park.
Deputies soon discovered the suspect had fled into one of the mobile homes within the park and surrounded the residence, the sheriff’s office said. After negotiating with Sand for a peaceful surrender, deputies took him into custody.
Sand was booked into the Humboldt County jail on charges of attempted murder. The case remains under investigation.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity to call the office at 707-445-7251 or its Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.
RIVER RESCUE >> A Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy assigned to the Trinity River Division rescued three distressed swimmers at Big Rock near Willow Creek on Wednesday afternoon.
The responding deputy arrived at the Big Rock river access point shortly after 4:45 p.m. and found three people stuck on a rock in the river, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office. With the help of community members, the deputy deployed water rescue equipment and was able to bring the three people safely to shore.
The three people had driven to Willow Creek from the Arcata area to enjoy the sun and go for a swim. Although the weather is getting warmer throughout the region, the sheriff’s office warns the public that it is still to early to swim in some of our local rivers, especially the Trinity River “due to high water levels and swift currents.”
The sheriff’s offered the following safety tips for swimming this summer season:
• Be sure to check river levels and flow information with the National Weather Service, in addition to water release information for the Trinity River.
• Never swim alone.
• Avoid swimming into a fast-moving current. If the current seems too strong, get out of the water.
• Don’t consume alcohol while swimming.
• Inflatable water toys should not be used in place of a life jacket. Young children should wear a life jacket when swimming in the river. Watch children at all times.
• If you are not a strong swimmer, do not swim in the river. Instead, enjoy from the shore.