Juvenile Suspect in Custody Following Homicide and Domestic Violence Investigation in Covelo
COVELO, CA – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a 16-year-old male in connection with a homicide and a series of domestic violence incidents that occurred on April 19, 2026. The suspect, a resident of Covelo, was apprehended in Oroville on Tuesday following a multi-agency search.
The investigation began at approximately 6:13 A.M. on Sunday when law enforcement received reports of a shooting victim being transported to the Covelo Volunteer Fire Department. Upon arrival at the fire station on Highway 162, the citizen transporting the victim found no medical personnel on-site and proceeded to a residence on South Airport Road to seek assistance.
Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies and Round Valley Tribal Police Officers arrived at the South Airport Road location and discovered a 38-year-old female with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers initiated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and maintained life-saving efforts until emergency medical personnel arrived. At approximately 6:55 A.M., the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Sheriff’s Detectives determined the shooting occurred on a dirt road near the 23000 block of Charlie Hurt Highway. As the homicide investigation progressed, detectives identified a link between the shooting and a prior domestic violence incident involving the 16-year-old suspect and a 15-year-old female.
According to investigators, the suspect and the 15-year-old had previously been in a dating relationship. On the morning of April 19, the suspect reportedly pursued the female’s vehicle through Covelo while discharging a firearm from his own vehicle. Law enforcement reports indicate the female eventually stopped, at which point the suspect allegedly forced her from the vehicle at gunpoint and physically assaulted her. The female was later able to leave the scene and alert family members.
The 38-year-old homicide victim was reportedly on a phone call with the 15-year-old female when the shooting occurred. The juvenile victim reported hearing gunshots in the background during the conversation. Based on this evidence and subsequent interviews, detectives established probable cause linking the 16-year-old male to the death of the 38-year-old woman.
An arrest warrant was issued for the juvenile suspect on charges of stalking, criminal threats, and domestic battery. Following leads that the suspect had fled to Butte County, Mendocino County Detectives coordinated with the Oroville Police Department. On April 21, at approximately 11:00 A.M., Oroville officers located the suspect at a local restaurant. The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended shortly thereafter.
The suspect is currently held at a juvenile detention facility in Butte County pending extradition to Mendocino County. The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office to file additional charges related to the homicide, including murder and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The names of the juveniles involved are being withheld in accordance with state laws regarding public disclosure.
