2 minors associated with Hoopa homicide case, gang activities attend cultural event
The Humboldt County District Attorney's Office said the juveniles seen at recent Hoopa Valley ceremonial gatherings were not temporarily released from custody on attempted murder charges, but were youth already adjudicated for gang‑related offenses.
In an email Wednesday, Eads said the juvenile at the center of community concern had already been adjudicated for participation in a criminal street gang, a felony under Penal Code 186.22, and was court‑ordered into the Regional Facility's New Horizons Program, a secure juvenile lockdown program operated by the Probation Department. During a June 25 review hearing, the youth requested an overnight pass to attend a cultural event.
"On June 25, a court review hearing regarding his performance in the program was conducted, and during that hearing a request was made by the juvenile for an overnight pass to allow him to attend a cultural event. Over the objection of the Deputy District Attorney (DDA) handling the matter, the juvenile was granted an overnight pass allowing his family to take him out of the facility from 9:00 a.m. on June 27 and return him no later than 5:00 pm on June 28," said District Attorney Stacey Eads "The DA asked the court to order an electronic monitor be utilized and the court ordered that occur so long as it was feasible. Upon learning of the judge's decision, the DDA alerted victim advocates who are in regular contact with the victim's family."
Eads said the regional facility and juvenile hall are operated by the Probation Department, which may have additional information about how passes are supervised. She noted that one other juvenile associated with the case was allowed out on a pass to attend the same event. The pass did not require a hearing because probation already had court‑authorized discretion to grant them.
The Hoopa Valley Tribe issued a statement Tuesday condemning the releases, saying the decisions caused "profound pain and outrage" and that Moon's family "should never be forced to experience such unnecessary trauma." Tribal leaders said they were not notified in advance and called for greater transparency, victim notification and community‑safety considerations in future judicial decisions.
Dylan Moon, 17, died in March after being shot in Hoopa. Two adults - Tse‑Lin Lincoln and William Randolph "Billy" Warren - have been charged with murder and remain held on no‑bail status. Three juveniles were also arrested in connection with the case; their proceedings remain confidential under state law.
A public juvenile‑court hearing related to the pass is scheduled for Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Department 7 at the main courthouse.
The tribe says the community is still grieving Moon's death and was blindsided by the presence of youth involved in the case at sacred gatherings. Tribal officials and Moon's family say they continue to seek answers about why they were not notified and how similar situations can be prevented.
Maranda Vargas can be reached at 707-441-0504
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