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7.26.2010

WN - Eureka police, Humboldt County DA reviewing document from attorney general on David Sequoia shooting

Eureka police, Humboldt County DA reviewing document from attorney general on David Sequoia shooting - via Willits News
Matt Drange/The Times-Standard
Posted: 07/15/2010 01:15:14 AM PDT

The California Attorney General's Office released it's report of the investigation surrounding the shooting of Eureka resident David Sequoia last March.

The report was submitted to the Eureka chief of police as well as the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office, which will review the file to determine if deadly force in the incident was justified.

David Sequoia, 25, was fatally shot by EPD officers Patrick Bishop and Sgt. Rodrigo Reyna-Sanchez during a struggle involving a citizen and a handgun. After allegedly firing two shots at a pair of acquaintances who had accused him of stealing more than money from them, Sequoia reportedly fled the scene and attempted to hide in the carport adjacent to the residence of Kris Coon.

The officers arrived on scene while Sequoia and Coon were struggling over the gun and reportedly issued numerous commands for Sequoia to drop the weapon. When the struggle persisted, both officers fired a single shot at Sequoia, one in the chest and the other in the head, killing the man and ending the struggle.

EPD Chief Garr Nielsen said that the report came back as he expected.

”It appeared to be a pretty clear-cut case,” said Nielsen. “It seemed from the outset that the officers used necessary force given the circumstances.”

Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos was not available for comment on the matter, and it remains to be seen when the report will be finalized.

Matt Drange can be reached at 441-0514 or mdrange@times-standard.com