Police arrest man who claimed two suspects shot him and woman

A Redding man and woman were taken to the hospital early Tuesday morning after a bizarre shooting at a home in south Redding, police say.

Twenty-five-year-old Waylon John Rocha, who suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the head, initially told police he and Bailey Whitaker, 24, were shot by two people who entered their garage.

But, police said, Rocha later confessed the shot was self-inflicted and the round accidentally hit Whitaker in her torso.

According to police, officers were called to a home on Southgate Drive in the Westwood Manor area around 2 a.m., after reports of a shooting and two gunshot victims.

Police said Rocha told officers that two unknown suspects entered the garage where shots were fired striking him and Whitaker.

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He told officers the suspects then left the area on foot.

Police said officers searched the area without finding the suspects while both Rocha and Whitaker were taken by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center.

Officers said they were able to obtain video surveillance that showed no suspicious activity.

Based on witness statements and evidence, officers said they were unable to confirm Rocha’s and Whitaker’s version of events.

Officers re-interviewed Rocha and Whitaker at the hospital and found inconsistencies in their stories, police said.

Rocha then confessed to the shooting, telling officers the gunshot wound to his head was self-inflicted and the round accidentally hit Whitaker.

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Officers returned to the residence and were able to recover the handgun and additional evidence to confirm Rocha’s statements, police said.

Whitaker’s injury was minor and she was released from the hospital, police said.

Rocha was medically cleared and arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, negligent discharge of a firearm and violating his post-release community supervision, police said.

He was booked into Shasta County Jail.

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