The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: murder

  • Local manhunt for homicide suspect ends with arrest

    by Sophia Escudero

    After one week at large, the suspect in a Kneeland homicide was taken into custody on April 10. Austin Michael Medeiros, 27, of Rhode Island, had been the subject of a search involving the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Arcata Police, and University Police following the suspicious death of a Kneeland woman, 28-year-old Emily Rose May Lobba, on April 3. Medeiros was apprehended in Santa Cruz attempting to steal a boat and was transferred to the Santa Cruz Police Department. SCPD officers found a stolen loaded gun and psychedelic mushrooms in Medeiros’ possession during a search.

    Official mugshot of Austin Michael Medeiros take April 10.

    On April 3, a caretaker arrived at Lobba’s residence and was denied entrance by Medeiros, leading to an argument. According to the caretaker, Medeiros and Lobba knew each other and had been spending time together the time prior to the incident. Medeiros assaulted the caretaker and fled the scene in Lobba’s vehicle, and the caretaker found Lobba deceased inside the home and contacted the authorities. A car chase between Medeiros and law enforcement ensued, ultimately resulting in Medeiros fleeing on foot into the Arcata Community Forest.

    Poppy Cartledge, a journalism student, witnessed the chase, driving to a sporting event with her partner when she heard police sirens and pulled over.

    “This van came right at us and swerved into our lane, and at first I thought it was a civilian driving, like, ‘ah, I gotta get out of the way real fast,’ but I realized they weren’t gonna stop, and then they ran the stop sign, and at that point I realized, this was a chase,” Cartledge said. “At that time, I thought it was just something with drugs, but it was crazy to find out it was a murder.”

    This case is particularly close to the campus community after an alert to the student body informing them of a search in the Arcata Community Forest, followed by an update just two hours later saying that the search had ceased. Still, the suspect had not been found.

    According to interim chief of University Police Peter Cress, the Sheriff’s Office had handled the majority of the search.

    “We had one unit on duty that day, one officer, and when the pursuit finished up on Fickle Hill Road and it was reported that the subject had fled into the woods, our officer on duty, Sergeant Carpenter, went up to Redwood Park and asked folks to stay out of the park,” Cress said. “Obviously, if the suspect had run through the park, he would have detained him or gone after him, but he was mostly there just to keep people out of the park at that time.”

    The search was conducted from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m and involved multiple ground crews, ATVs, and K-9 units. Officials called off the search when the suspect could not be found. According to Sheriff’s Office public information specialist Samantha Karges, it is believed that the suspect had fled the area soon after escaping the chase.

    “It’s my impression that he got out pretty quickly,” Karges said. “A lot of the time people won’t hang around where they escaped. They know it’s a hot area, people are going to be looking for them, and they want to get out of town.”

    It’s believed that Medeiros escaped to Santa Cruz by hitchhiking. No related violent incidents or injuries were reported during Medeiros’ time as a fugitive. Still, Karges urges members of the campus community always to be careful.

    “You could be a victim of a crime at any time,” Karges said. “It’s really important that we are aware of our surroundings, who we’re hanging out with, where we’re going, what we’re doing, those sorts of things. I know in university, we meet a lot of people, we make risky decisions when we’re young, so really think through who you’re getting in a car with, whose house or room you’re going to. Be cautious of new people, and get to know them before you invite them where you live or get into a car with them. Just use an abundance of caution.”

    Medeiros is currently being held in the Santa Cruz County Jail on charges of grand theft, carrying a loaded stolen firearm, and possession of a controlled substance. He ispending extradition to Humboldt County on charges of murder, evading an officer, assault and battery, and possession of a controlled substance. The bail is at $1 million.

  • Press Release: APD Still Seeks Public’s Help in Lawson Case

    Press Release: APD Still Seeks Public’s Help in Lawson Case

    APD asks witnesses to come forward on third anniversary of David Josiah Lawson’s death

    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. 

    Public service announcement video reposted by the North Coast Journal:

  • 17 going on 18

    17 going on 18

    But still no justice for David Josiah Lawson and his family

    On the 15th of every month for the past 17 months the advocacy organization Justice for Josiah, which is led by his mother Charmaine Lawson, holds a vigil in memory of David Josiah Lawson in the wake of his murder.

    This month the vigil was held at the Manila Community Center, adjacent to Josiah Lawson and his friends most cherished beach.

    “I chose this spot today because my son loved the beach,” Charmaine Lawson said. “I wanted to be in a place were my sons presences was often.”

    There were around 30 to 40 in attendance. Community members, Humboldt State University faculty members and family and friends of David Josiah Lawson gathered around to eat barbecue and listen to music.

    This did not detract from the seriousness of why people were gathered that day. Many wanted to talk about both the lack of transparency within the HSU administration and Arcata Police Department and overall trust in them.

    Sylvia DeeRoy, a local community member and HSU alumni, said she has had enough of HSU President Lisa Rossbacher and the HSU administration’s avoidance to answer questions they deem vital for family and friends of David Josiah Lawson, and other HSU alumni.

    “Ages have gone by,” Derooy said. “As an alumni (Rossbacher) doesn’t even care about me.”

    The vigil happened 25 days after the Aug. 20 roster release of the HSU’s predominantly African American student clubs to the Arcata Police Department. Many community members are unaware of this but those who are seem to take a deep frustration with the events that have transpired.

    Meg Stofsky a community advocate and member of the Justice for Josiah Movement, had words that seemed to resonate with many at the Vigil.

    “I thinks it’s racist as hell,” Stofsky said.

    Although there has been a deep mistrust of the HSU Administration and Arcata Police Department, many family and friends of Josiah say they appreciate the community support of those who know or didn’t know him.

    Berenice Roman, a student at College of the Redwoods and friend of Josiah, said that although she is frustrated and this situation is difficult, she is glad some in the community are concerned and willing to support them and Josiah.

    “It’s really cool that people in the community are mad about it, and are still coming to support Ms. Lawson and his friends,” Roman said. “It just makes us feel like we are not alone.”

    As the day drew on, the vigil turned its sights on the remembrance of the memory of David Josiah Lawson. Charmaine Lawson, aunt of Josiah Stacey, and friends Alex Foster and Karim Muhammad led the walk to Josiah and his friends’ favorite beach.

    Charmaine lead community members following the vigil and attendees chimed in harmony the ethos of these vigils and protest:

    “Justice for Josiah, long live D.J. and say his name, Josiah!”

    The procession winded down to the beach as their calls for justice echoed out into the humboldt-sphere. After, the vigil attendees gathered in a circle with their hands clasped together, which was formed around hearts with texts inside them that read, “Josiah” and “D.J.”

    Attendees were asked to go around and say something about Josiah that they remembered, or the reasons for why they were there that day.

    No one seemed to be able to get a word out without a semblance of confusion or sorrow.

    The vigil ended with the symbolic throwing of roses and petals into the ocean. Although this was supposed to be the most powerful image of the vigil Charmaine Lawson’s words seemed to transcend the moment.

    “I know he is not here in the physical but he’s here in spirit,” Lawson said. “I know he is shining and saying ‘Mom thank you, for not forgetting me and thank you strangers who are now family for being here and standing with my mom and our family.’”

     

  • Community gathers for David Josiah Lawson vigil

    Community gathers for David Josiah Lawson vigil

    Lawson’s homicide case is still open.

    Mother of David Josiah Lawson, Charmaine Lawson, drove eight hours to the Arcata Plaza to speak at her son’s vigil to remember, honor and celebrate his life. The African American Center for Academic Excellence organized Lawson’s vigil on Feb. 15.

    “For those of you who are mothers, I drove my baby to school and he came back in a box,” Charmaine said. “It’s not okay, I am not going to apologize for my tears. I am trying to be strong, but it’s hard.”

    Josiah’s homicide case remains open and active. The investigation interviewed 46 individuals that are believed to include all the witnesses who could have seen the fight and events leading up to the homicide.

    The initial review of all the evidence has been finalized with assistance from a retired FBI investigator, Tom Parker.

    Majority of forensic evidence has come back from the Department of Justice. Police are now awaiting a completion of DNA and specialty evidence testing.

    Humboldt State University student Erianna Blackwell said it’s important to come out for support.

    “Not only your people, but the cause,” Blackwell said. “Especially since they still haven’t found the killer.”

    Josiah was murdered 10 months ago at an off-campus house party. The city council held four meetings in 2017 to update the community on the investigation and present strategies on how to improve student safety.

    Michael Fennell, a Lawson supporter, said he’s been wearing his “Justice for Josiah” button for almost 10 months.

    “I didn’t think I would be wearing it for this long,” Fennell said. “I thought it would be solved long ago.”

    With two other children at home, Josiah’s mother told the crowd she was willing to move to Humboldt County to seek justice for her son.

    “If it takes me moving for the police to do their job, I will,” Lawson said. “I don’t care about materialistic things if I have to sell my car [or] my house. I’ll do it for my son.”

    Chairman of the Wiyot tribe, Ted Hernandez, showed up for the vigil and extended a prayer even though he had never met Josiah’s mother.

    “I came to support Charmaine as a parent. I have five children and some have gone to HSU,” Hernandez said. “It is all about the community and supporting the mother. It is a healing process.”

    Each month since Josiah’s death, a vigil has been organized in order to remember his memory and to put pressure on the ongoing investigation to find the murderer.

    HSU journalism major Angel Sylva said she comes every month.

    “I feel tired of having to come out every month,” Sylva said. “I feel like I’m coming out and nothing is being done. I come out regardless.”

    A reward of $40,000 has been offered to anyone with new information leading to the arrest and conviction of Josiah’s murderer.

    Mayor of the City of Arcata, Sofia Pereira, said when the AACAE asked her to come speak at the vigil, she agreed. But Pereira was uncertain on what she was going to say.

    Pereira said to Josiah’s mother, “You have given so much to the community. This is a community you owe nothing to.”

    “As a leader, I am going to fall short at times. I’d rather show up and fall short than to not show up at all,” Pereira said. “If we want true peace, we have to listen to our neighbors and take the situations seriously. I am engaging even though I feel uncomfortable.”

    Pereira has been mayor of Arcata for two months. Her first meeting as mayor was on Dec. 20. The council alternates the position on an annual basis.

    “I felt the gravity of the situation,” Pereira said. “It is not easy to speak in front of people who are grieving and want answers.”

    After the last meeting in October, students requested investigation updates be separated from the student safety discussion and that student safety meetings be held on campus following the October meeting.

    Student safety meetings in November and December were facilitated by students and held on campus. Meetings will continue to be held through the Student Diversity Committee with support from many campus club leaders.

    “My life will never be the same,” Charmaine said. “I can’t even mourn my child, because I have to fight for him. It is taking too long to get results.”