UPDATE: More details emerge after shots fired in Redding leads to felon’s arrest, weapons seized

November 5, 2021 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATED: Friday, Nov. 5, 11:55 a.m.

Originally Published: Thursday, Nov. 4, 10:36 a.m.

See Original Story below.

REDDING, Calif., — Reports of a man indiscriminately shooting a shotgun into his own vehicles and property in the front yard of a Redding home led to a large-scale police response early yesterday morning, Thursday, Nov. 4. In addition to patrol officers, RPD sent a tactical armored rescue vehicle to the scene and heavily armed officials were observed within the neighborhood over the next several hours.

The alleged suspect – a felon who admitted to the shooting, according to officials – provided no motive for the shooting, which led to the overnight police activity in the 3600 block of Polaris Way, on the city’s southeast side off Shasta View Drive. He was arrested after the shooting investigation, which uncovered two shotguns, two rifles and ammunition. As a convicted felon, the alleged gunman is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, according to officials.

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City of Redding police officers were dispatched to the scene around 3:30 a.m. after receiving reports of shots fired in the area, Redding Police Sergeant Paul Slagle has since said of the bizarre incident and arrest.

When officers arrived they learned a man, since identified as Ray Charles Morrow, 24, of Redding, was responsible for shooting a shotgun “willfully and negligently” in the front yard of a residence, according to the Sergeant.

“The Bearcat rescue vehicle was utilized to make an approach to the residence, and Morrow emerged from the residence after he was provided with verbal commands to do so,” Slagle explained; saying the felon was taken into custody without further incident.

While conducting a safety and security sweep of the residence while searching for any potential victims officers observed several firearms in plain view, leading RPD detectives to seek and obtain a search warrant for the residence.

While serving the warrant, detectives located and seized two shotguns, two rifles and ammunition.

“Detectives investigated the crime scene and determined that Morrow fired his shotgun into his vehicles and his own personal property at the residence,” said Slagle; adding, “Morrow did not provide a motive for the shooting.”

Officers arrested Morrow and he was booked into the Shasta County Jail in Redding on suspicion of willful and grossly negligent discharge of a firearm and being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition and firearms.

Online jail records indicate he remains in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail or bond.

SEE ALSO: SCSO & RPD team up to address school bus safety concerns

No injuries were reported as a result of the shooting.

Anyone with further information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Redding PD at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 21R072271 and can remain anonymous.

Original Story: Reports of shots fired in Redding leads to large police response

REDDING, Calif., — Police this morning remain at the scene of a reported shooting that happened overnight on Polaris Way on the city’s southeast side off Shasta View Drive.

Witnesses reported hearing shots fired around 3:30 a.m., leading to a large police presence that included Redding PD’s armored tactical rescue vehicle.

It was not immediately known if anyone was injured during the shooting, but no ambulances were seen leaving the area with potential victims.

No further details were immediately available and Redding PD’s shooting investigation is continuing.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information becomes available.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

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 30 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 18 grandchildren.