McKinleyville homicide suspect arrested in Trinidad area

Photo Courtesy of Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department: Jasen Coley handcuffed and flanked by law enforcement.

On July 5, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department (HCSO) tweeted that the suspect in the homicide that occurred in McKinleyville on July 3 was arrested last night. Suspect Jasen Dwain Coley was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the charge of murder and is being held without bail pending arraignment.

Coley was on the run after he allegedly shot the male victim, Kenneth “Michael” Davis, on Silverbrook Court in McKinleyville on Monday. Once Coley fled the scene in a dark-colored vehicle, it was later located by HCSO in the Frontage Road parking area of Strawberry Rock, Trinidad. According to an HCSO press release, at about 5:35 p.m. yesterday, a male subject was lying along the trail between Trinidad State Beach and College Cove, Trinidad, and was reported to have a shotgun next to him. The subject identified himself as Coley and was taken into custody without incident. 

According to HCSO, Coley and the victim, Davis, were known to each other. However, the motive for this crime is still under investigation. The case is submitted to the Humboldt County DA’s Office for prosecution. This is an ongoing investigation with information unfolding.