Frederick William Loftus, aged 58, passed away on August 25, 2017, in Eureka, California. Loftus, known affectionately as "Fast Freddy," was a second-generation commercial fisherman who spent much of his life fishing in various locations, including Oregon, Washington, and the Bering Sea in Alaska. He was visiting Eureka at the time of his unexpected death. Loftus was remembered for his love of motorcycles, books, and the outdoors, and he left behind a family who cherished him deeply.
The circumstances surrounding Loftus's death were tragic and violent. On the evening of August 25, 2017, the Eureka Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at a residence on the 1300 block of Seventh Street. Upon arrival, officers found Loftus lying on the floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The police quickly identified the shooter as 75-year-old David Alan Kobak, who was found cooperative at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of murder.
The investigation revealed that Loftus and Kobak, who had been friends for 30 years, had been drinking heavily on the day of the incident. A quarrel broke out between the two men while Kobak was cooking dinner, during which Loftus allegedly struck Kobak in the face. Enraged, Kobak retrieved a semiautomatic rifle from his bedroom and shot Loftus eight times, with three of the bullets hitting him in the back. Both men had high blood alcohol levels at the time of the shooting.
Kobak was charged with second-degree murder and faced trial for his actions. During the trial, much of the testimony focused on Kobak's state of mind and the events leading up to the shooting. Kobak claimed he could not remember the shooting or the subsequent police interview. Despite his defense, the jury found Kobak guilty of second-degree murder and the special allegation of using a firearm to cause death or bodily injury. This conviction carried a potential sentence of two life terms in state prison.
On February 4, 2020, which would have been Loftus's 62nd birthday, the jury delivered their verdict, and Kobak was subsequently sentenced to 40 years to life in prison. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of alcohol-fueled violence and the devastating impact it had on the lives of those involved. Loftus's family and friends were left to mourn the loss of a beloved father, grandfather, and friend, while Kobak faced the consequences of his actions in the justice system.
