The details emerge

◼ Marijuana grow operation shooting leaves one dead, one wounded near Kneeland; 28-year-old man held on suspicion of murder, investigation remains ongoing
...The shooting is believed to be marijuana related and apparently occurred Wednesday night. It was not reported until about 9 a.m. Thursday, after the surviving shooting victim hiked more than two miles from the crime scene to the helicopter base. Initial scanner reports indicated that the man had been shot in the face and the back. He was airlifted by CalFire helicopter to Mercy Medical Center in Redding, and authorities said he is in stable condition.

Another man who may have witnessed the shooting was kept under the care of detectives in Kneeland for several hours before being transported away from the site.

Early Thursday afternoon, a heavily armed SWAT team, dressed in camouflage fatigues and full tactical gear, moved in on the scene of the shootings, which was more than two miles from the base, down steep, tree-covered hills. It reported finding a deceased adult male, apparently killed by a gunshot wound, on the property.

Back at the command center set up at the Kneeland Airport, Undersheriff Mike Downey, after accompanying the SWAT team as it surveyed and searched the crime scene, said the uninjured man is cooperating with authorities, and had been in touch with investigators throughout the day.

”We're making sure he has a place to stay tonight and we're taking care of him,” Downey said.
The undersheriff said the scene of the shooting contained a large outdoor marijuana grow, consisting of four garden sites that he estimated had a combined 1,500 to 2,000 plants.

”I've worked marijuana in this area for 25 years, and I would put that (operation) on a very large scale,” Downey said.

He went on to say that some physicians' medical marijuana recommendations were posted at the gardens and that it would be “speculative” this early in the investigation to say whether the grow was illegal.

The Sheriff's Office is withholding the identities of all the victims at this point. Downey said it appears that all involved in the Wednesday night altercation have been accounted for based on witness statements.

Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos was at the Kneeland air station Thursday afternoon, and toured the crime scene by helicopter. Gallegos said officers had the “primary suspect” in custody, but said investigators were still tracking down leads in an attempt to determine if anyone else may have been involved with the shootings.

◼ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The investigation into the Kneeland shooting is continuing and evidence continues to be collected and evaluated. As released yesterday, the suspect, Mykal Wilde, 28 of Eureka, was arrested yesterday during a traffic stop a short distance from the Kneeland Airport. Detectives have learned that the three victims had been hired by the Wilde to assist in marijuana cultivation. Wednesday evening, a dispute developed between Wilde and the three men. The preliminary investigation revealed that Wilde was in possession of a firearm and opened fire, killing one and wounding another; the third man was uninjured. The two surviving men fled and were separated. Early reports indicate that Wilde continued to search for the two survivors throughout the night. Yesterday morning, the injured victim contacted CalFire personnel at the Kneeland Helitack Base. At about the same time, the uninjured survivor separately contacted a jogger. Law enforcement personnel responded to the area and conducted a systematic search. At about 2:00 yesterday afternoon, they located the deceased victim near the grow site.

Deputies found and eradicated 1,554 growing marijuana plants at the site of the shooting. There were several Proposition 215 recommendations posted and the legality of the growing operation remains under investigation. Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives obtained and served three search warrants: the suspect’s vehicle, his residence, and a trailer located on the property of the grow site. At Wilde’s residence deputies found more the 20 pounds of processed marijuana, a digital scale, packaging materials, and ammunition.

The victims’ identities are being withheld. At this point in the investigation there is no evidence that any of the three victims were armed. The investigation is continuing. Law enforcement personnel remained at the site throughout last night and today.

Gary Philp
Sheriff