Motel room destroyed in fire; One man dead /clerk expected to be OK

ARCATA, Calif. (KIEM)-A motel employee is expected to be OK after he was shot in the foot, early Sunday morning, after checking on noise complaint, according to Arcata police.

Multiple agencies responded to a report of a hotel guest discharging a gun in the motel six the parking lot – located at the 4800-block of Valley West Blvd. in Arcata, at about 3 a.m., according to Arcata Police Department’s Detective-Sergeant Chris Ortega.

Police arrived to a thirty-year-old man with gun – inside a motel room – on fire.

After a brief interaction with officers – the man refused to exit the burning room and ultimately took his life.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, the motel clerk sustained a superficial wound, according to Ortega. h

He says, this case remains an ongoing investigation.

The name of the man will not be released due to the nature of the incident and pending notification of next of kin, which according to Ortega, “rests on the Humboldt County Coroners Office”.

Redwood News reached out to the Motel 6 employees for comment, a spokesperson for the business said in a statement, “We are aware of an incident yesterday and are continuing to cooperate with authorities as they investigate the matter.  The safety and well-being of our guests and team members is our top priority and we’re saddened by this tragic set of circumstances.  Any other questions should be directed to police and local officials.”

Ortega says the fire caused major damage to the building.

“There was extensive damage to at least two of the rooms, likely more. Nobody else was injured as far as other residents or guests at the motel,” he said. “If anybody witnessed this event or has any information we would appreciate if they could reach out to the Arcata Police Department. “

Call (707) 822-2428 or APD’s tip line at 707-825-2587.