Woman shot, mate arrested – January 20, 2010
Courtney Weaver at the Summerfest 2009 at the Mad River Pump Station Photo by TMc | Eye
Kevin L. Hoover
Eye Editor
ARCATA – Arcata resident Courtney Weaver was shot in the face and severely wounded Friday night. The assailant, 34-year-old Kenneth Fiaui of Arcata, was arrested on a charge of attempted homicide.
On Friday Jan. 15 at about 10:17 p.m., Arcata Police responded to the 1100 block of J Street on a report of gun shots heard in the area and a female subject screaming for help.
Upon arrival, officers found Weaver, shot multiple times.
Weaver was taken to Mad River Community Hospital and later transported to U.C. Davis Medical Center where she underwent surgery and is in serious but stable condition.
A search of the area was conducted and the suspect, Fiaui, was located one block from the shooting. Fiaui was uncooperative, and after a brief struggle, was taken into custody.
Fiaui was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of attempted homicide. Bail is set at $500,000.
A search of the area located the firearm believed to be used in the crime. APD Capt. Tom Chapman said the handgun appears not to be stolen, but didn’t turn up on an initial search of a Department of Justice database, and its registration is unclear. Further research is underway.
Weaver posted to her Facebook page from the intensive care ward, where she said that she had been shot in the face but was recovering.
Another Facebook page has been created, titled “Support for shooting victim Courtney Weaver,” and it was immediately filled with expressions of love, support and considerable anger directed at Fiaui.
That “dismayed” Weaver, who said that “yes the situation was traumatic, but only positivity is needed at this point.”
Continued Weaver, “Kennneth was an incredible man until the last 15 minutes. I will never speak to him again but I hope he recieves the help he needs.”
She also said that even in her present medical circumstance, she has composed eight new songs.
Originally from Seattle, Courtney moved to Humboldt about three years ago. She sings in local blues band St. John and the Sinners. She is influenced heavily by blues and jazz, especially Billie Holiday and Nina Simone.
A regular at the Jambalaya Tuesday night blues jam, her voice is deep and sultry.
A benefit for Weaver was planned for Tuesday night at the Jambalaya. A donation can has been set up at Wildwood Music.
This case is still under investigation.
