A Eureka man is a suspect in a violent stabbing incident in Willits this week.

On Thursday around 10:10 a.m., the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the 100 Block of Kawi Place in Willits for a report of a stabbing victim. When deputies arrived they found the victim, a 47-year-old male from Willits, and provided medical aid while medical personnel were en route to the scene.

A search was launched for a man identified as Jason Ryan Omholt of Eureka. Additional resources arrived to help, including more deputies, wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and officers from the Willits Police Department.

An ambulance arrived and provided the victim with emergency aid and then drove the victim to a hospital for further medical treatment. Medical professionals determined the victim suffered life-threatening injuries and investigators found substantial evidence at the scene to corroborate that a violent assault had occurred.

During the investigation, law enforcement learned Omholt had an active felony arrest warrant out of Humboldt County for vehicle theft.

Deputies learned of a possible location where Omholt might be staying and went to a residence in the 2600 block of Mitomkai Way in Willits, where Omholt was found hiding in a bedroom. Omholt initially refused to come out of the bedroom but after some negotiations, he surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.

A search warrant was obtained and served at the residence where Omholt was staying. At the conclusion of the investigation, Omholt was arrested on suspicion of attempt murder, resisting arrest, and the out-of-county felony arrest warrant.

Omholt was booked into the Mendocino County jail where he is being held on $125,000.00 bail.

This incident is actively being investigated and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information regarding this investigation to call the dispatch center at 707-463-4086 (option 1). Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the nonemergency tip line at 707-234-2100.