On April 2, 2018, at about 7:30 p.m., Humboldt County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 2200 block of Elizabeth Rd. in McKinleyville for the report of a subject brandishing a firearm.
When deputies arrived on scene, they observed a male subject matching the description of the suspect walking in the roadway near the residence. Deputies contacted and detained 23-year-old Ronald O’Keefe Hardy of Los Angeles.

According to witnesses on scene, Hardy arrived at the residence that evening to purchase marijuana. During the transaction, Hardy removed a handgun from his bag in an attempt to rob the subjects. Hardy then struck one victim with the firearm and began zip-tying the hands of the remaining victims. The owner of the residence was able to retrieve his firearm and confronted Hardy. Hardy then took one victim hostage. A physical altercation ensued as the hostage was able to break free from Hardy. Hardy fired his weapon twice into the tree line during the struggle, before the homeowner and hostage were able to disarm him. Hardy was in the process of fleeing the area when deputies made contact with him.

Hardy was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges: robbery, assault with a firearm on a person, false imprisonment, kidnapping and exhibiting a firearm. His bail is set at $100,000.