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Nicholas Bakewell

Gender : Male

Age : 36

Race : White

Date : 06/05/2025

Location : 1200 block of Hearst Willits Road

City : Willits

County : Mendocino

State : California

Agency : Mendocino County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Taser

Event : Died during arrest after being tasered

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On June 5, 2025, around 7:00 p.m., Mendocino County deputies responded to a California Highway Patrol call about a violent assault by a hitchhiker who had attacked a driver after being picked up. Deputies found the man walking on Hearst Willits Road. He ignored commands, assumed a fighting stance, lunged at deputies, and fled into nearby brush. Deputies used pepper spray and then a Taser to subdue him. After being handcuffed, the man became unresponsive. Deputies removed restraints, performed CPR, and administered Narcan, but he was pronounced dead at the scene after about 30 minutes of medical efforts. The Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office initiated an in-custody death investigation, and two deputies along with a supervising sergeant were placed on paid administrative leave.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/mendocino-county-hitchhiker-assault-suspect-dies-confrontation-deputies-willits/
https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/hitchhiker-dies-northern-california-assault-20365470.php
https://mendovoice.com/2025/06/hitchhiker-who-allegedly-attacked-driver-dies-after-deputies-use-taser-on-him/
https://mendofever.com/2025/06/05/man-dies-after-deputies-deploy-tasers-near-willits/