REDDING: Wheelchair-bound victim repeatedly stabbed, suspect arrested

REDDING — Authorities are conducting an attempted murder investigation after a cancer patient reportedly stabbed a wheelchair-bound man multiple times in the head and arms. The violent and bloody incident happened Monday, Aug. 14, in the 1800 block of Stetson Way, south of Highway 299 and west of Shasta View Drive, in Redding.

After an investigation, Redding police officers arrested Mark E. O’Neal, 65, of Redding. According to officials, once he has been medically cleared, O’Neal will be booked into the Shasta County Jail in Redding on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and making terrorist threats.

The investigation began at 12:28 p.m., when Redding police officers responded to the home after SHASCOM emergency dispatchers were notified regarding an argument occurring between two men at the residence, Redding Police Sgt. Les James explained in a written press release after the incident.

The 911 caller told dispatchers one of the men involved in the fight was believed to be armed with a knife.

When they arrived, officers found the victim, identified as Paul Douglas Wilke, 67, of Redding, suffering from multiple stab wounds to his head and arm.

“Wilke, who’s confined to a wheelchair, was brought out of the residence by officers to receive immediate medical treatment,” said James.

Investigating officers quickly located O’Neal in one of the bedrooms in the residence. Officers found O’Neal had sustained a laceration to his left hand, which they believe he sustained while attacking Wilke with the knife, according to James.

During their investigation, officials interviewed other residents who live at the home. According to several witnesses, O’Neal had threatened to kill Wilke earlier in the day.

A witness, who shares a room with both Wilke and O’Neal, told authorities that while both men were in the bedroom the three share he saw O’Neal arm himself with a “knife or similar weapon.”

O’Neal then began stabbing Wilke “without provocation,” James explained. The witness reportedly fled the room during the assault.

At one point during the knife attack, O’Neal reportedly came out of the bedroom and said “Call the paramedics. He’s hurt pretty bad,” before returning inside the bedroom, according to James.

Both Wilke and O’Neal were transported to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries; none of which were believed to be life threatening.

Anyone with information about this investigation or who witnessed the incident is encouraged to immediately contact Redding police officials at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 17-58938 and can remain anonymous.

 

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Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.