Update, 7-16-17 7:30 PM
The victim from this morning’s stabbing call has been identified as Joseph Anthony Ortega, age 36, of Willows. He is still in critical condition at Mercy Intensive Care Unit.
After speaking with multiple witnesses and reviewing evidence at the scene, Redding Police Investigators arrested Billy Wayne Goss, age 35, a transient from the Redding area, for attempted murder. He was booked at Shasta County Jail, with bail set at $500,000.
The investigation revealed Ortega and Goss had never met before this morning’s incident. Ortega and his adult son travelled to Redding with a friend to pick up a mutual acquaintance. When they stopped for food at the Jack in the Box next to the AM/PM, Ortega and his adult son became involved in a verbal argument with Goss and two of his friends. The argument escalated into a fight in front of the AM/PM mini-market, at which time Goss stabbed Ortega in the neck and fled the scene. Officers located him hiding in a ditch under a bridge several hundred yards away. He gave up when officers approached him. The knife has not yet been located.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information is encouraged to contact the Redding Police Investigations Unit.
A man was stabbed in the AM/PM parking lot (4095 Railroad Avenue) early Sunday morning during a fight involving five subjects.
Officers were dispatched to a call of a fight and stabbing on 07-16-17 at 0111 hrs. A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew, as well as deputies from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
When officers arrived, they located an unconscious adult male with a single stab wound to the front of his neck. The victim, who has yet to be positively identified at the time of this news release, was transported by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center.
Redding Police Investigators responded from home and began to search for evidence and conduct interviews.
One of the combatants was contacted at the scene. Three additional involved parties were found hiding in bushes and ditches by deputies and officers. Interviews of witnesses and a possible suspect were still being conducted at the time of this news release.
As of 4:30 am, the victim is listed in critical condition at Mercy Medical Center Intensive Care Unit. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
