Officers from the Grants Pass Police Department responded to an area of Rogue River Hwy. Monday morning, February 21st, regarding a report of an assault with a bat.
As officers were responding, it was determined that a male suspect, later identified to be William “Hank” Haywood, had assaulted two people while at the Lil’ Pantry Market on Rogue River Hwy. It was reported that Haywood assaulted a customer, unprovoked, then proceeded to also assault an employee of the business who attempted to intervene prior to fleeing the area in a vehicle prior to officers arriving on scene.
Further information was obtained by detectives responding to assist with the investigation and to begin attempting to locate Haywood after it was learned Haywood was wearing a pistol on his person at the time of the assault. The weapon was not displayed or used to threaten anyone at the time of the incident.
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 due to the severity of the incident and concern for the safety of the public.
At approximately 2:30pm, The vehicle Haywood was reported to have been driving at the time of the assault was located at Reinhart Memorial Park at approximately 2:30pm Monday afternoon. 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 and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Assault in the Second Degree, and Assault in the Third Degree. 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.
