Grants Pass man arrested for assault

Grants Pass Police have arrested for allegedly assaulting two people. Officers from the department responded to the area of Rogue River Highway and Parkdale Monday morning around 10:33 am, for a report of an assault with a bat.  As officers were responding, it was determined a man, later identified to be William “Hank” Haywood, had assaulted two people while at the Lil’ Pantry Market on Rogue River Highway. It was reported that Haywood assaulted a customer, unprovoked, then proceeded to also assault an employee of the business who tried to intervene.  Haywood fled the area in a vehicle before officers got on scene.

Detectives responded and assisted with the investigation, also trying to find Haywood.  After further information was obtained, it was learned Haywood was wearing a pistol on his person at the time of the assault.  Haywood did not display or threaten anyone at the time of the incident with the firearm.  It was further discovered that Haywood was possibly in possession of a rifle, which was reported to be in the vehicle.  Detectives and officers began checking several locations for Haywood because of the severity of the incident and concern for the safety of the public.

At about 2:30pm, the vehicle Haywood was reported to have been driving at the time of the assault was located at Reinhart Memorial Park.  Detectives were able to see the vehicle and confirmed Haywood was the only occupant of the vehicle. Due to the concern over the firearms Haywood was reportedly in possession of, an armored rescue vehicle was utilized to ensure the safety of the public and the officers.

Haywood was contacted and taken into custody without further incident. Haywood was later lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the above charges.  Neither of the victims of the assault required immediate medical treatment at the scene. The case is still under investigation and additional charges are pending. Maywood is currently charged with second and third degree assault.

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Shellye Leggett is an anchor and producer for NBC5 News. You can also catch her anchoring on KMVU FOX26. She comes to the Rogue Valley from Albuquerque, New Mexico where she was a nightside reporter and fill-in weekend anchor for KOAT Action 7 News for 3 years. She has also reported in Colorado Springs, Colorado, South Bend, Indiana and Bozeman, Montana. Shellye was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She graduated from North Park University in Chicago, Illinois with a B.A. in Communication Studies. She then earned a Master's degree in Broadcast Journalism from DePaul University in Chicago. In her free time, she loves to hang out with her husband who's in the Navy, her cat “Tootsie,” watch scary movies with friends and spend time with her extended family who live all over the West Coast. Shellye is excited to explore Southern Oregon and North California and tell your stories.
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