US Forest Service workers held hostage at gunpoint in California forest for hours: Authorities
Two U.S. Forest Service workers were safe and free Friday after being held for hours by an armed man in a Northern California forest, authorities said.
The situation began around 10:55 a.m. Thursday when the U.S. Forest Service called Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office about a man taking two of their members hostage within a remote area of Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Jeremiah LaRue, the Siskiyou County sheriff, said Friday at a news conference.
The suspect, later identified as Joseph Henrichsen, 49, allegedly zip-tied the two Forest Service members and held them at gunpoint in a trailer near Gumboot Lake, LaRue told reporters. Drones were used to find the trailer, according to the sheriff.
Henrichsen allegedly wanted to speak to the FBI and began a standoff with authorities, according to LaRue.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI Hostage Rescue Team from Quantico, Virginia, arrived on the scene and began engaging with the suspect at about 4:20 p.m., LaRue said.
"There was a lot that transpired," he added.
Around 1:50 a.m. Friday, the two hostages were released safely and they later returned home, according to LaRue.
Henrichsen and his adult son came out of the trailer and were arrested at around 2:30 a.m., LaRue said.
The investigation is ongoing. Investigators said the motive remains unclear.
Inside the trailer, which did not belong to the U.S. Forest Service, were a rifle and knives, according to investigators. The suspect allegedly claimed he had grenades as well, investigators said.
Henrichsen will be charged with kidnapping a federal employee, investigators said.
