News

On the third anniversary his death, the Arcata Police Department is calling on witnesses to step forward in the April 15, 2017, stabbing of Humboldt State University sophomore David Josiah Lawson.

In a joint public service announcement released with Lawson's mother, Charmaine Lawson, they urge witnesses who may have attended the party at which Lawson was stabbed to come forward and talk to investigators. A press release notes that detectives still haven't identified or spoken to "many who were present" that night.

The department has set up an anonymous tip line to field information in the case, which can be reached at (707) 825-2590.

Watch the PSA and find the full press release copied below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JOSIAH LAWSON HOMICIDE OCCURRED THREE YEARS AGO

On this day three years ago HSU Student David Josiah Lawson was murdered in Arcata. This case remains under investigation and the Arcata Police Department is seeking the public's assistance during the on-going investigation. On April 15, 2017, while attending a house party on Spear Avenue, Josiah was stabbed during an altercation. Josiah was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter at Mad River Community Hospital.

Witnesses described upwards of 100 people in attendance at the house party. Many of those who were present have not been identified nor have they been interviewed by Detectives from the Arcata Police Department. The completion of this investigation is dependent on a number of factors including interviewing all people who were present at some point during the party or who have information that can corroborate what occurred that night.

The Arcata Police Department established a 24 hour confidential tip line for community members to provide information relative to this investigation. The phone number is (707) 825-2590. Community members can also call the APD's Dispatch Center at (707) 822-2424.

Keeping Josiah's memory alive is paramount to this case. The Arcata Police Department will continue to investigate this case and will continue to work all investigative leads until justice prevails.

Attached in a separate email is a Public Service Announcement developed in partnership with DJ's Mother, Charmaine Lawson, the Arcata Police Department, the Eureka Broadcasting Company and the City of Arcata's IT Department. The PSA link is Facebook compatible. All are encouraged to share this link with anyone in order to never forget DJ and to encourage community members who have any information at all regarding who else was in attendance at the party and/or the events that led to DJ's death, to come forward.