News

UPDATE:
Eureka police have arrested a suspect in the case of a man “lit on fire” near the 400 block of A Street on July 12.

“Through extensive investigation, Eureka Police detectives identified 60-year-old Vaughn Pernell Jones as the suspect,” an EPD press release states, noting that Pernell was arrested on a warrant for attempted murder and mayhem on the 100 block of Second Street on July 14.

The 43-year-old victim in the case suffered critical burns, according to the release, and was transported out of the area for treatment.

PREVIOUSLY:

The Eureka Police Department has launched an investigation into a 43-year-old man who was lit on fire yesterday afternoon in what is believed to have been a targeted attack.

Police responded to the 400 block of A Street at about 3:30 p.m. yesterday to a report of a man who had been lit on fire by an unknown suspect and arrived to find the victim with "major burns" to his upper body. He was then taken to the hospital with "significant injuries" but is in stable condition, according to a press release.

Officers then searched the area for the suspect and any video surveillance footage that may have captured what happened.

"Based on the investigation at this time, it appears the suspect used a liquid accelerant to light the victim on fire then quickly fled from the scene," the release states. "Based on the investigation at this time, we believe this was a targeted attack. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Eureka Police Department at (707) 441-4060."

See the full press released copied below:

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2023
Subject: Man Lit on Fire
On July 12, 2023, at about 3:30 p.m., officers with the Eureka Police Department
responded to the 400 block of A Street for the report that a male had been lit on fire by an unknown male suspect.

Once on scene, officers located a 43-year-old male victim with major burns to his upper body. Humboldt Bay Fire and City Ambulance arrived and the victim was transported to the hospital with significant injuries. The victim is in stable condition and receiving treatment at an out of the area hospital.

Officers and Detectives immediately began a search of the area for the suspect and
video surveillance. Based on the investigation at this time, it appears the suspect used a liquid accelerant to light the victim on fire then quickly fled from the scene.
Based on the investigation at this time we believe this was a targeted attack. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Eureka Police Department at (707) 441-4060.