News
On July 15, MCSO releases two videos showing June 5 fatal Willits tasering . Video matches original press release. We would like to tell the human stories here, please contact us, every life is worth a story
The Mendocino County Sheriff has released a 17-minute video showing what happened in a fatal tasering of a hitchhiker who had gotten into a fight with someone who picked him up and inflicted injuries on the motorist that resulted in that person being hospitalized. The encounter led to the death by taser of the hitchhiker, Nicholas Bakewell, 36, of Willits.
To see the video released Tuesday morning, click on this blue writing
This is an important part of Mendocino County history and shows tasers can kill, although less lethal than firearms. I would like to tell the human side of this story if someone can provide that. But it would have to be a full picture that showed the impacts of factors like how drugs impacted who Bakewell became. We all have stories and they need to be told at a time like this.
The fatal incident happened 06-05-2025. Cameras from both Deputy Jesus Lopez and Sergeant Sam Logan are shown and each provides additional information.
Lopez has approximately 5 years of law enforcement experience and Sergeant Logan has approximately 13.5 years of law enforcement experience. Both Deputy Lopez and Sergeant Logan have law enforcement experience in the Corrections and Patrol Divisions with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, the SO said.
Here is the new and the original press release.. The original press release seems to match the video.
DATE: “July 15, 2025” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Incident Number: 2025-11321 Crime/Incident:Fatal Incident Protocol – Coroner’s Investigation Location: 1200 block of Hearst Willits Road in Willits, CA Date of Incident: 06-05-2025 Time: 07:02 P.M. Victim(s): N/A Suspect(s): N/A Written By: Captain Quincy Cromer #2651 Synopsis: UPDATED PRESS RELEASE 07/15/2025 at 08:00 A.M.: As a part of this continuing investigation being conducted by the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office, additional information is being released to provide the identity of the involved Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office personnel and the identification of the decedent. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office employees involved in this incident on 06-05-2025 were Deputy Jesus Lopez and Sergeant Sam Logan. Deputy Lopez has approximately 5 years of law enforcement experience and Sergeant Logan has approximately 13.5 years of law enforcement experience. Both Deputy Lopez and Sergeant Logan have law enforcement experience in the Corrections and Patrol Divisions with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. During the coroner’s investigation related to this incident, the decedent was identified as Nicholas Bakewell, a 36-year-old male from Willits, CA. Pursuant to California Assembly Bill 748, dispatch and video footage of this incident are being released publicly on the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office YouTube page. The video release can be accessed by utilizing either of the following links: YouTube Page https://www.youtube.com/c/MendocinoSheriff YouTube Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBzx08v3s7U ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE: On 06-05-2025 at approximately 07:02 P.M., the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a call from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) who requested Sheriff’s Office assistance for a call in the 2000 block of Hearst Willits Road in Willits, California. CHP informed the Sheriff’s Office of a call they received regarding a hitchhiker who was picked up by a motorist in the area and the subjects were now involved in a physical fight. CHP Officers were responding to the call with an extended response time and Willits Police Department (WPD) Officers were also requested to assist. This investigation revealed the male subject had brutally assaulted the driver of the vehicle after he was offered a ride and entered the vehicle. This assault was unprovoked and resulted in injuries that caused the driver to be admitted into a local hospital. A Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Deputy responded to the area and contacted a male adult subject walking in the middle of the roadway in the 1200 block of Hearst Willits Road. The male subject failed to comply with the lawful orders of law enforcement and immediately took a fighting stance and lunged at the Deputy. The Deputy pointed his department-issued Taser device at the subject while ordering the male to comply and surrender. The Deputy moved away from the male in the roadway and attempted to speak with him and de-escalate the situation. The Deputy continued to employ de-escalation tactics that were ignored by the male. The male subject fled along the north side of the roadway when a Sheriff’s Sergeant arrived to assist. The male subject ran into the brush north of the roadway as Sheriff’s Office personnel continued to order him to surrender. Multiple warnings were provided to the male subject that he would be Tased if he did not comply with their orders. During the attempts to lawfully arrest the male subject, Sheriff’s Office personnel utilized Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray. The male subject moved onto his stomach, so Sheriff’s Office personnel attempted to place the subject in handcuffs. The male subject physically resisted attempts to place him into handcuffs and assaulted a Deputy so a Taser was deployed to overcome the resistance and arrest the individual. Willits Police Department Officers arrived as Sheriff’s Office personnel continued to inform the male he was under arrest and ordered him to comply with the arrest. Sheriff’s Deputies and WPD Officers removed the male from the brush and continued to attempt and place him into handcuffs as the male physically resisted. Law Enforcement personnel were able to eventually handcuff and arrest the male subject. The male subject was monitored at the scene after being arrested and Law Enforcement personnel determined the male became unresponsive. Restraints were removed from the male as Law Enforcement provided emergency medical treatment at the scene. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated by Law Enforcement personnel as emergency medical assistance was requested. Law Enforcement personnel administered Narcan on the male subject and CPR was continued for approximately 5 minutes when emergency medical personal arrived at the scene. Fire and EMS personnel continued life-saving efforts, to include CPR and other emergency medical treatment. Life-saving efforts continued for approximately 25 additional minutes until the male subject was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene. Since the male subject was in the custody of law enforcement and died during the incident, the County-Wide Fatal-Incident Protocol was initiated. The Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office was contacted and is the lead agency for this ongoing investigation. |
