Two transients sought in fatal crossbow attack in Humboldt County

Humboldt County authorities continued their search Monday for a man and teen girl sought in a crossbow attack that left one transient dead and sent another to a hospital.

Deputies responded to the scene on Highway 255 in Eureka after receiving a report Sunday afternoon of an injured man on the southbound shoulder, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said. While en route, another 911 caller reported that the man had been shot with an arrow.

Responding deputies found the 41-year-old man, who had been shot three times with what was later determined to be a crossbow, officials said. The man, described by authorities as a transient, suffered grazing wounds to the scalp and shin and an arrow to the hip.

Roughly 200 yards away, deputies found another man who had been shot in the face with an arrow, officials said. The 44-year-old, also described as a transient, was dead.

The names of the victims have not been released.

A 911 caller reported that two people fled the area on bicycles, which they ditched after a witness tried to stop them, officials said. The witness said the two people then ran into a wooded area, prompting an hours-long search -- which included a helicopter, ATVs and a police dog -- by multiple law enforcement agencies.

The sheriff’s department said it was looking for two transients in connection with the incident: Phoenix Triton King, 20, and a 16-year-old girl whose name was not released because she is a minor.

Officials said the suspects were new to the area and may have thought the victims stole something from their camp, prompting the attack.

King was described as white, 5-feet-7 and 140 pounds with short blond hair, blue eyes and black, heavy-framed glasses. The girl was described as black, 5 feet tall, and 120 pounds with shoulder-length hair often worn in a bun.

Authorities said the two are considered dangerous and may be armed.

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