(Image Source: Mendocino County Sheriff's Department)

BY MEGAN NOE

ANCHOR EMILY SPAIN

You're watching multisource US video news analysis from Newsy.
 

A month-long manhunt in the redwood forests of Fort Bragg, California-- is over.

Authorities shot and killed Aaron Bassler-- the 35-year-old fugitive suspected in the deaths of two local officials. KTVU has the announcement.

“The suspect was wearing black clothing and was carrying an assault rifle in his right hand. The team engaged Bassler and observed him fall to the ground. The suspect did not fire any rounds during this engagement.”

For roughly 36 days, Bassler evaded capture in the woods, at one point engaging in gunfire with authorities and escaping a police dog. But KGO says a recent robbery put deputies on the trail.

“Sheriff Allman says a three-man Sacremento County SWAT team staked out a cabin Bassler had recently robbed for food and drink, much like the cabin where Bassler was last seen breaking into on this security camera photo.”

Bassler was suspected of killing a city councilman and former mayor, as well as a county land trust official. The Sacremento Bee reports he may have been mentally unstable.

“[Father] James Bassler had been vocal about his son's undiagnosed mental illness after his past arrests for DUI and for throwing red military stars and notes over the fence of the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco. He told the Associated Press in a recent interview that he had called on Mendocino County officials to help his son...”

Fort Bragg residents told the LA Times they felt their tourist town had become a “war zone.”

“Residents... were warned by law enforcement officials to stay out of the woods while authorities searched for Bassler. The historic Skunk Train, which carries tourists on sightseeing ventures past the location of Melo's killing, was temporarily closed down. When it reopened, camouflaged law enforcement officers climbed aboard searching for Bassler.”

So it’s no surprise residents felt relief after a special phone call, KNTV reports.

“People in the Fort Bragg area received a reverse 9-1-1 call just before 2 o’clock this afternoon notifying them of Bassler’s death. ‘Residents of the Northspur area: Mendocino County Sheriff’s Captain Smallcomb would like to advise you that your neighborhood has been secured. Please disregard yesterday’s message at this time.’


Transcript by Newsy.