Henrichsens Kidnap 2 US Biologists for 15 Hours, Surrender After FBI Standoff

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 25

Federal court documents say Joseph Henrichsen, 49, and his son Phoenix, 23, held two US Forest Service biologists hostage for about 15 hours in California's Shasta-Trinity National Forest on July 16-17.
Joseph allegedly approached the women with an AR-15, zip-tied them and forced them into a trailer near Gumboot Lake, then used one hostage's phone to demand an FBI investigator and warn he had "live rounds" ready.
A drone later confirmed an armed man and a restrained hostage, triggering a large response from local agencies and the FBI hostage team; negotiations dragged on for hours after Joseph also threatened to detonate a grenade.
Both hostages were released before the father and son surrendered around 2:30 a.m. without incident; they now face two federal kidnapping counts, each carrying up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Authorities still have not identified a clear motive, with the sheriff saying Joseph mainly wanted to talk to the FBI about "what's going on in the world," while the FBI seeks first-hand public information.