This is a press release from the California Highway Patrol. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On August 27, 2020, at approximately 1615 hours, an Officer assigned to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Garberville Area, conducted a traffic stop on a 2010 Toyota pickup being driven by Kenneth R. Whipple in the parking lot of the Round Valley Casino for an observed traffic violation. Immediately upon stopping his vehicle, Whipple exited the truck and began to rapidly approach the Officer who was issuing commands to Whipple which were ignored. Whipple continued to walk around the parking lot refusing to follow commands issued by the Officer. After several minutes, the CHP Officer was able to detain Whipple in handcuffs by using control holds and forced him to the ground to prevent him from enter other vehicles at the scene who were attempting assist Whipple in fleeing the area. After Whipple was detained, a crowd of aggressive onlookers began to approach the CHP Officer who was attempting to maintain control of Whipple and prevent onlookers from entering Whipple’s vehicle. Round Valley Tribal Police Officers, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, and additional CHP Officers arrived on scene to assist. Whipple displayed signs and symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance and Officers located a loaded, suppressed (noise silencer) assault weapon and a loaded handgun in his vehicle. Whipple was arrested for possession for driving under the influence of a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, and additional firearm related charges. Whipple refused to perform a legal blood draw and a forced blood draw search warrant was obtained. After a blood sample was obtained, Whipple was booked into the Mendocino County Jail at approximately 2200 hours.
