FBI Director Kash Patel announced a massive, high-stakes tactical operation in California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest that successfully neutralized a dangerous hostage crisis.
Two U.S. Forest Service biologists conducting fieldwork near Gumboot Lake were approached by 49-year-old Joseph Charles Henrichsen and his adult son, Phoenix Henrichsen, KTVU reported.
The biologists were zip-tied and held captive inside a trailer at gunpoint. Joseph Henrichsen was armed with an AR-15-style rifle and knives and claimed to possess grenades. He reportedly demanded to speak with the FBI.
Local Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office deputies alerted federal partners. The FBI Sacramento Field Office responded rapidly with Crisis Negotiators, SWAT Team, and Evidence Response Team.
A tactical deployment of the elite Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) from Quantico, Virginia, was brought in to handle the dynamic situation.
U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz was in direct contact with Director Patel and the White House throughout the ordeal to ensure maximum support for the safe return of the employees.
Schultz later stated the experience had been “frightening” for everyone involved and expressed deep gratitude for the teamwork that brought his people home unharmed.
After nearly 10 hours of tense negotiations, the two hostages were safely released. Joseph Henrichsen and Phoenix Henrichsen surrendered without further incident and were immediately taken into custody. They now face federal charges of kidnapping federal employees.
The motive for the kidnapping has not yet been publicly disclosed, and investigators say the case remains active.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X:
“Yesterday and into the early morning hours of today, the FBI responded to a hostage situation in Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Redding, CA – where two individuals took two U.S. Forest Service biologists as hostages. FBI Sacramento, including our Crisis Negotiators, SWAT Team, and Evidence Response Team all arrived on scene, including a tactical deployment of our Hostage Rescue Team from Quantico.
After nearly 10 hours of negotiations, the hostages were safely released – and subjects Joseph Henrichsen and Phoenix Henrichsen surrendered and were immediately taken into custody. I am proud of the immediate and professional work of these elite FBI teams to assist our partners for a safe and successful resolution.”
Yesterday and into the early morning hours of today, the FBI responded to a hostage situation in Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Redding, CA – where two individuals took two U.S. Forest Service biologists as hostages.
FBI Sacramento, including our Crisis Negotiators, SWAT… pic.twitter.com/yOZxLrewJ2
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) July 18, 2026
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