REDDING, Calif. — A family dispute turned deadly in Redding this week, leaving two people dead and a suspect in custody after a shooting at a residence off Abernathy Lane.
According to the Redding Police Department (RPD), officers responded at approximately 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, after multiple reports of gunfire in the 10000 block of Abernathy Lane. While en route, dispatchers received a chilling 911 call from a man who admitted to shooting two people outside his home and stated that he remained armed inside.
Given the seriousness of the situation, RPD immediately activated its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team and deployed an armored BearCat vehicle to secure the area. Upon arrival, officers located two adult victims with critical injuries lying outside the residence. Officers pulled the victims to safety and attempted lifesaving measures, but both were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Jesse Penta of Redding. Police said he spoke briefly by phone with a Crisis Intervention Response officer, which ultimately helped de-escalate the tense standoff. After negotiations, Penta peacefully surrendered to SWAT officers and was taken into custody without further incident.
Following interviews with detectives, Penta was booked into the Shasta County Jail on two counts of murder.
Investigators later confirmed that the victims were Tony Penta and his mother. Officials also revealed that law enforcement had been called to the residence multiple times in recent weeks due to family-related disputes, though they did not provide further details about what may have led to the deadly confrontation.
The double homicide has left neighbors stunned and grieving, with many describing the situation as a heartbreaking tragedy that shattered the peace of their quiet neighborhood.
The Redding Police Department stated the investigation remains active as detectives continue to gather evidence and piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting.