FORT BRAGG - On May 17, 2020, just before midnight, the Mendocino County Sheriff's dispatch center received a 911 call from North Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg. The caller reported that a number of people had just assaulted a person with a knife. When deputies responded to the home, no one was at the scene but it was evident that some type of assault had taken place.
While deputies were at the home, the Fort Bragg Police Department was contacted by the Coast District Hospital regarding two people who arrived with what appeared to be stab wounds. A short time later Fort Bragg Police officers notified sheriff's deputies a third party arrived at the hospital also suffering from what appeared to be knife wounds.
Deputies responded to the Coast District Hospital where they learned hospital staff had attempted life-saving efforts but a 32-year-old male from Fort Bragg, died from what appeared to be multiple stab wounds.
Deputies learned that two other men, a 22 and 23-year-old, both of Fort Bragg, were also being treated from what appeared to be stab wounds. These two men were stabilized and then transported to an out of county hospital for more advanced care. These two men were later listed in stable condition and are expected to recover from their wounds.
Mendocino County Sheriff's detectives were called to assume the investigation. Detectives have not yet identified a suspect or suspects in this case and the motive for the assault is also under investigation. Criminalists with the California Department of Justice Crime Lab in Eureka responded to assist in the processing of the crime scene.
"California DOJ criminalists are experts at processing crime scenes for evidence and conducting testing at DOJ labs," said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona. "Their work helps detectives to move forward with the investigations, identify suspects and prosecute those suspected of being involved. Many cases would not move forward without them."
The Sheriff's Office is requesting anyone with information related to this case to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Tip Line at (707)234-2100 or the anonymous WeTip system at (800) 782-7463.
