Willow Creek: Investigation into botched burglary continues

◼ victim remembered as a “wonderful father” and an “upstanding man”

An autopsy and toxicity test are scheduled today for Darrell Hanger Sr., the 50-year-old man who was shot and killed in a burglary attempt that went awry...

Humboldt County Sheriff's detectives are continuing an investigation into the incident, which left Hanger's son Darrell Hanger Jr., 25, with serious injuries from a gunshot wound. Four people robbed Hanger Jr.'s home earlier this month, according to sheriff's reports, and returned to the residence shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday to burglarize the home a second time.

They were confronted by Hanger Jr. and Sr., said Sheriff's Lt. Steve Knight, adding that both men decided to arm themselves and spend the night at the home.

”They were fearful enough that they felt if they were going to spend the night, they should be armed,” Knight said, adding that it didn't appear to be a “lying in wait” situation. “We don't believe they (Hanger Jr. and Sr.) had a plan if they showed up.”

Sheriff's detectives, meanwhile, arrested a pair of suspects in the case, said Criminal Investigations Cmdr. Dave Morey, when they were found walking down Patterson Road about a mile from the residence late Thursday afternoon. Sonia Hunsucker, 30, and Jackson Surber, 29, both of Hoopa, were taken into custody and are being held on suspicion of violating their parole.

The sheriff's office is planning to charge both Hunsucker and Surber with murder once detectives complete their investigation, Morey said, adding that new charges could be filed as soon as next week....

Both Hunsucker and Surber are being held without bail on a slew of charges from a separate home invasion incident last April in Weitchpec, in which they reportedly broke into a home on Lake Prairie Road armed with a pistol and an AR-15 assault rifle. They were booked Thursday on suspicion of assault with a firearm, threatening a crime with intent to terrorize, burglary, false imprisonment, shooting at an inhabited dwelling and robbery, charges on which they can be held for up to six months, Morey said.