DA Says Deputies Lawful in Officer Involved Shooting Review

Humboldt County District Attorney Stacey Eads published a detailed factual review of the January 22, 2024 officer involved shooting that resulted in the death of Daniel Martinez. The report recounts a morning operation that began as a hostage rescue, describes multiple attempts at negotiation, and details the deployment of SWAT and CNT resources that culminated in a breach and a lethal use of force.

According to the DA review, officers attempted to negotiate with Martinez over an extended period before a tactical team entered the residence. The report describes the immediate tactical sequence during the final breach, including the deployment of pepper balls, Martinez exiting a closet and charging at deputies with a large knife, and deputies firing in response. The autopsy and toxicology results and forensic ballistics analysis are included in the county release as part of the factual record.

After examining the totality of the circumstances, the DA concluded the deputies complied with California law Penal Code Section 835a and that the use of deadly force was legally justified. Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene. The DA review notes that Martinez family members were notified of the legal determination.

The findings will matter to Humboldt County residents who are seeking clarity about the events that led to a use of deadly force in their community. The review provides a comprehensive factual narrative and forensic details that officials say are intended to promote transparency about investigative and prosecutorial decisions. For families directly affected, and for neighbors living near the incident location, the report addresses immediate public safety questions about how the situation was handled and why officers took the actions they did.

Community leaders and advocates will likely scrutinize the report for implications on police training, crisis response, and the handling of incidents involving knives and barricaded subjects. The involvement of specialized resources such as SWAT and CNT highlights the complex operational choices that arise in hostage rescue scenarios and the challenges of balancing negotiation and tactical intervention in rapidly evolving situations.

Residents who want to review the full factual narrative, forensic details and legal analysis can read the county press release on the Humboldt County website at https://humboldtgov.org/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/6045. The DA review marks a legal close to the prosecutorial question, while public dialogue about community safety, accountability and crisis response is likely to continue.