A Redding man was arrested after police say he accidently shot a woman in a home while trying to shoot himself in the head early Tuesday morning.
According to Redding Police, officers responded to a home on Southgate Drive around 2 a.m. Tuesday. Officers found two gunshot victims, 25-year old Waylon John Rocha and 24-year old Bailey Whitaker, both from Redding. Police say Rocha suffered a gunshot wound to the head, and Whitaker was shot in the torso.

Both gunshot victims at first told police that they were shot by unknown suspects that broke into the home, but that turned out not to be the case. Officers were able to locate video surveillance which showed no suspicious activity. Based on witness statements and evidence officers were unable to confirm Rocha’s and Whitaker’s version of events.
Officers re-interviewed Rocha and Whitaker at the hospital and found inconstancies in their stories. Ultimately, Rocha confessed and told officers the gunshot wound to his head was self-inflicted and the round accidently shot Whitaker. Officers returned to the home and were able to recover the handgun and additional evidence to confirm Rocha’s statements. Whitaker’s injury was minor and she has been released from the hospital.
Rocha was medically cleared and arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, negligent discharge of a firearm, and violation of post release community supervision. Rocha was booked at Shasta County Jail.