News

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office has identified the deputy who fatally shot a shooting suspect last month as Lt. Conan Moore, who remains on paid administrative leave.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Moore was responding to the scene of the report that a 75-year-old woman had been shot in Cutten and arrived to find Kevin Jeffrey Burks, who matched the suspect description, fleeing the scene. Burks reportedly then entered a residence, after which deputies set up a perimeter. Burks, 32, is alleged to have exited the home a short time later, "pointing a firearm in the direction of deputies." According to the Sheriff's Office, Burks "refused commands" before Moore shot him in the chest. He died about a week later in a local hospital.

The 75-year-old woman was transported to an out-of-area hospital for treatment for her gunshot wound and has since been released to a rehabilitation facility to undergo continued treatment, according to the release.

Moore has been with the Sheriff's Office for 15 years, according to the release, which is copied in its entirety below.

Case Number: 202401627 Subject: Officer Involved Shooting – Update

Update for Officer Involved Shooting on 04/25/2024, in the Cutten area of Eureka.

The Humboldt County Sheriff Deputy involved in the April 25, 2024 officer involved shooting is Lieutenant Conan Moore. Lieutenant Moore has over fifteen years of law enforcement service with the Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Moore remains on paid leave.

On April 27, 2024, suspect Kevin Jeffrey Burks (DOB 06/30/1991) succumbed to the injuries he sustained during the critical incident. A forensic autopsy has been performed and Burk’s immediate cause of death was due to a gunshot wound to the chest.

Immediately after the incident occurred, the involved 75-year-old female victim was transported to an out of the area hospital for treatment. She has since been released to the care of a rehabilitation facility where she is undergoing continued treatment.

This case is still under investigation by the Humboldt County Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

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