Officer, homeowner hospitalized after Redding man goes on biting rampage
REDDING — An alleged intoxicated driver who crashed into two cars and a light pole before kicking his way into a Redding residence and attacking the homeowner – biting him repeatedly in the face and body – was arrested after violently resisting and fighting with officers who responded to the emergency. The crashes and violent attack happened Wednesday evening, May 1, in the 2000 block of Vega St., northeast of Victor Ave. and Vega St.
The man, later identified as Tyrone Joe Hill, 24 years of Redding, later bit an officer in the leg, causing the officer to receive medical treatment as well as the originally assaulted and bitten homeowner.
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Redding police officers were dispatched to the area about 10:30 p.m., after receiving reports of a Chevy truck crashing into a residence.
“While officers were en route they learned the driver of the truck … was now fighting with the home owners,” Redding Police Sgt. Sam Llamas later explained of the violent encounter.
When officers arrived at the scene they found Hill outside the home.
“Hill was acting erratically and charged at officers,” said Llamas. “Officers had to use pepper spray to take control of Hill” and take him into custody.
Tyrone Hill, 24, of Redding was arrested after crashing into two parked cars and a pole, before kicking his way into a home and attacking the homeowner, repeatedly biting the victim. He later allegedly bit an officer while at an area hospital being checked out after his arrest. Redding PD/DMV photo
During their subsequent investigation, officers learned Hill had collided with two vehicles and a light pole during the incident; however, he did not crash into any homes, as was initially reported. Officers were not able to immediately determine who was the owner of the truck Hill crashed.
After the initial crashes, a resident of the neighborhood confronted Hill, who “chased the victim back into the victim’s home,” according to Llamas.
“Hill kicked the front door in and violently attacked one of the residents,” Llamas continued. “During Hill’s attack on the homeowners, he bit one in the face and forearm causing moderate injuries.”
The biting and assault victim received medical attention at the scene and was later transported by ambulance to a local hospital for further treatment.
After being apprehended, Hill falsely identified himself to officers, using his brother’s name. He also admitted to officers he had been driving under the influence of marijuana. He did not say if he was under the influence of any other intoxicants. Hill was subsequently taken to a different hospital for a medical clearance required for booking.
“Once at the hospital while handcuffed and restrained, Hill bit an officer in the leg,” continued Llamas. “The bite broke the skin and caused a moderate injury to the officer.” Because of the bite injury, the officer also had to receive medical treatment at the hospital.
After being medically cleared, Hill was transported to Shasta County Jail where he was booked on suspicion of mayhem, residential burglary, assault on a police officer, identity theft – for falsely identifying himself to officers, and driving while under the influence of marijuana.
Anyone with further information or details about last night’s violent incident is encouraged to contact Redding PD at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 19R027495 and can remain anonymous.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta 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, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.