Two Arrested for Murder Following Tactical Raid in Ferndale and Rio Dell

Law enforcement activity in Humboldt County escalated on Monday morning as the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deployed its armored BearCat vehicle to assist another agency in executing out-of-county warrants for two murder suspects.

According to HCSO Public Information Officer Meg Ruiz, the tactical vehicle was sent to an address on Price Creek Road in Ferndale and a second location within the Rio Dell city limits. Scanner traffic first indicated the BearCat was heading south on Highway 101 before it exited toward Ferndale.

HCSO confirmed that two suspects were taken into custody during the operation but declined to name the lead agency handling the case, citing the need to protect an ongoing investigation.

Later, booking records from the Humboldt County jail identified the two men arrested:

• Wesley Lavern Evans, taken into custody at 11:22 a.m. by HCSO Deputy Gundersen, was booked on suspicion of murder (Penal Code 187(a), felony). He remains in custody.
• Samuel Terry Ashley, arrested at 2:21 p.m. by Butte County Deputy C. Whitney, was also booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for murder (Penal Code 187(a), felony). His arrest was executed under a Ramey Warrant—a type of warrant issued before formal charges are filed, often used in cases where law enforcement believes an immediate arrest is necessary.

Authorities in both Humboldt and Butte counties have declined to provide additional details about the case or confirm which homicide the arrests are connected to, reiterating that the information is being withheld to protect the investigation.

This is a developing story, and KMUD News will continue to seek updates on the circumstances surrounding these arrests.