Sheriff William F. Honsal | Humboldt Sheriff’s Office website
Sheriff William F. Honsal | Humboldt Sheriff’s Office website
On January 22, 2024, a tragic incident unfolded in Eureka, California, as reported by the Eureka Police Department. The situation involved a family dispute that escalated to a critical level, resulting in a violent confrontation.
According to reports, a juvenile sustained a severe neck laceration allegedly caused by a family member, identified as Daniel Martinez. The incident took place on the 1400 block of Union Street, Eureka, where Martinez barricaded himself with other occupants, including juveniles, in a residence. In response to the escalating crisis, the Eureka Police Department called upon the Sheriff’s SWAT and Crisis Negotiators for assistance.
After hours of negotiations, four hostages were safely released, with one juvenile requiring treatment for injuries. The juveniles involved were subsequently placed under the care of Child Welfare Services. Despite ongoing efforts to resolve the situation peacefully, Martinez refused to surrender and comply with commands. The confrontation culminated in Martinez aggressively advancing towards law enforcement officers with a large knife, leading to an officer-involved shooting. Martinez sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
In adherence to state law, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has released body-worn camera footage capturing the officer-involved shooting. The footage may be challenging to watch due to the equipment and safety gear worn by the officers on the scene. The Humboldt County Critical Incident Response Team, spearheaded by the Eureka Police Department and the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, has been activated to investigate the incident further.
Further information regarding this incident is advised to be directed to the Eureka Police Department.
The released video contains graphic content and explicit language, urging viewer discretion. The video can be accessed at the following link: [Body Camera Footage](https://youtu.be/z93pHyXIW5E).
Additionally, viewers can review Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office policies related to such incidents by visiting the following link: [HCSO Policy Manual](https://humboldtgov.org/DocumentCenter/View/86838/HCSO-Policy-Manual).
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