Two Forest Service Employees Safely Released After Armed Hostage Standoff
Father and son taken into custody following an overnight multi-agency response near Gumboot Lake
FAST FACTS
Incident: Two U.S. Forest Service employees held hostage
Location: Near Gumboot Lake in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Date: July 16–17, 2026
Duration: Approximately 15 hours
Suspects: Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and his adult son, Phoenix Henrichsen
Reported weapons: AR-15-style rifle, knives and claimed grenades
Outcome: Both employees were safely released; both suspects surrendered
Federal charge: Kidnapping a federal employee under 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(5)
Lead agencies: FBI, Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Forest Service
Additional response: Shasta County Sheriff’s Office and multiple local, state and federal agencies
SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif. — Two U.S. Forest Service employees were safely released early Friday after authorities said they were zip-tied and held at gunpoint inside a private trailer near Gumboot Lake in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
The hostage situation began shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday, July 16, and ended approximately 15 hours later with the employees safely released and two men surrendering to authorities.
Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue said his office received a call at approximately 10:55 a.m. from a Forest Service law enforcement officer reporting that Joseph Charles Henrichsen had two Forest Service employees restrained and held at gunpoint inside a trailer.
Henrichsen reportedly told authorities he had firearms and ammunition and wanted to speak with the FBI.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office immediately mobilized deputies and its Special Response Team, which reached the remote area around noon. Authorities began using drones to search the area while requesting additional local, state and federal resources.
A drone located the trailer at approximately 1:03 p.m.
The FBI’s Sacramento Field Office was contacted by the Forest Service at approximately 12:20 p.m. Agents from Redding responded alongside the FBI’s crisis negotiation, SWAT and evidence response teams.
Negotiators established communication with Henrichsen at approximately 4:20 p.m. Authorities continued negotiating through the evening and into Friday morning.
The first Forest Service employee was released shortly before 2 a.m. The second employee was released approximately 15 minutes later.
Joseph Henrichsen and his adult son, Phoenix Henrichsen, surrendered at approximately 2:30 a.m.
The FBI said Joseph Henrichsen had an AR-15-style rifle and knives and claimed to possess grenades. Officials did not say during the press conference whether any explosive devices were recovered.
Joseph Henrichsen is 49. Officials described Phoenix Henrichsen only as an adult and did not release his age.
Acting FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Brian Atash said Joseph Henrichsen had been arrested on a federal kidnapping charge.
U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said his office intended to charge both men by criminal complaint with kidnapping a federal employee under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1201(a)(5).
A criminal complaint contains allegations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Employees Were Performing Routine Work
Forest Service officials said the two employees were performing routine seasonal work when they were taken hostage.
Officials emphasized that the employees were not conducting a patrol or participating in a law enforcement operation. Authorities declined to provide additional information about their specific duties.
The trailer where the employees were held was privately owned and did not belong to the Forest Service. Officials said they were not certain who owned it.
The employees’ names, ages and job titles were not released. Officials said both had returned home and were believed to be doing well following assessments after their release.
Forest Service leaders said the agency was remaining in contact with the employees and their families while providing support and privacy following the incident.
Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue speaks during a July 17 press conference detailing the hostage incident near Gumboot Lake and the safe release of two U.S. Forest Service employees. Image captured from video provided by the U.S. Forest Service, Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
FBI Hostage Rescue Team Deployed
Because the situation involved armed suspects and could have escalated, the FBI requested its Hostage Rescue Team from Quantico, Virginia.
Officials confirmed the national tactical team was transported to Northern California and arrived before the hostages were released and the two men surrendered.
Atash said authorities believed local teams could respond to the incident but requested the additional resource while there was time to deploy it.
Shasta County Sheriff Michael Johnson said his office sent approximately 30 sworn and nonsworn personnel to assist Siskiyou County.
Those resources included a SWAT team, sniper unit, hostage negotiators, bomb technicians, drone operators and other support personnel.
Johnson described the scene as a difficult rural environment with rough terrain and access by a narrow, single-lane road.
The response also included personnel from the Forest Service, FBI, Bureau of Land Management, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Office of Emergency Services, Homeland Security Investigations, Cal Fire, local fire departments and law enforcement agencies from several surrounding counties.
Public Notification Delayed During Negotiations
Authorities were asked during the press conference why the public had not been informed about the hostage situation while it was underway.
LaRue said officials were concerned that releasing information could interfere with negotiations or threaten the safe outcome of the incident.
He said the decision was made to protect the employees and avoid introducing information that could change the suspects’ behavior while negotiators were working toward their release.
Officials have not announced a motive.
LaRue said the suspects initially communicated with authorities before stopping. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and determine why the employees were taken hostage and why Joseph Henrichsen allegedly wanted to speak with the FBI.
The sheriff said his office was not aware of any previous local law enforcement history involving either man.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with firsthand information about Joseph or Phoenix Henrichsen is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit information through the FBI’s online tip system.
Cover image: Gumboot Lake in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, near the area where two U.S. Forest Service employees were held hostage July 16. The photo was taken in May 2020. Photo by Carol Underhill, U.S. Forest Service.
