On Monday, Oct. 1 at around 7 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a Mad River Hospital report of a self-inflicted gunshot-wound victim. The victim, whose name was not released as of Wednesday Oct. 3, is described as a white male, age 30, of Crescent City.

The victim initially told deputies he was bear hunting in the Bald Hills area of Humboldt County when he accidentally discharged his shotgun, striking himself in both legs. With the help of a friend, who was also hunting, the victim was transported to the Bald Hills Cal Fire Station on Bald Hills Road where an ambulance responded to transport him to the hospital. The victim’s injuries were not life threatening.

Several hours later, the victim contacted the Sheriff’s office a second time and recanted his initial statement. The victim told deputies he worked at a marijuana growing operation off Johnson Road and was gone from the site for several days. He said he had returned on Oct. 1 to the grow site, where he was confronted by several people and one of them shot him.

On Tuesday, Oct. 2 at about 2 p.m., investigators responded to the area of the shooting and searched for evidence. Evidence of a marijuana growing operation was located along with evidence supporting some of the victim’s statements. Investigators also interviewed several persons of interest in the area.

This investigation is still ongoing. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday. Further information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s office crime tip line at 268-2539.