REDDING, Calif. — A tragic double homicide in Redding has left a community in shock after police say a man fatally shot his own brother and mother on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Redding Police Department (RPD), officers were dispatched around 1:15 p.m. to the 10000 block of Abernathy Lane following reports of gunfire. While en route, dispatchers received a call from a man identifying himself as the shooter, who said he had just shot two people outside his residence and remained armed inside.
In response, RPD activated its SWAT Team and deployed an Armored BearCat vehicle. Upon arrival, officers located two victims outside the home with severe injuries. They were pulled to safety and provided emergency medical care, but both succumbed to their injuries at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as Tony Penta and his mother. The suspect, 31-year-old Jesse Penta, spoke briefly with a Crisis Intervention Response officer before surrendering peacefully. He was taken into custody and later booked into the Shasta County Jail on two counts of murder.
Investigators confirmed that officers had been called to the home multiple times in recent weeks for family-related disputes. While the motive remains under investigation, police said the fatal encounter underscores ongoing tensions within the household.
As a precaution, Columbia Elementary School was placed on hard lockdown during the incident but reopened shortly after 2:00 p.m. once police determined there was no threat to students or staff.
Abernathy Lane remained closed for several hours as detectives processed the crime scene. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Redding Police Department’s Detective Division at 530-225-4214.
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