Helicopters were used to help extinguish the flames from the fire as black smoke could be seen east of the Antioch BART Station on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Video screenshots and photo by Allen D. Payton
10 acres burned
By Allen D. Payton
According to the Contra Costa Fire Protection District (Con Fire), on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, just after 4:25 p.m., Contra Costa Fire responded to multiple reports of smoke and flames near Oakley Road and Willow Avenue in Antioch. The first arriving crews encountered a fast-moving fire with the potential to reach 60 acres, prompting a second alarm response.
Black smoke billowed into the sky across the property east of the Antioch BART Station and Hwy 4 and north of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.
The fire extended into a storage area belonging to a construction company on land northeast of the Antioch BART Station that contained plastic pipe, wood railroad ties, and miscellaneous debris. Due to wind-driven conditions, a third alarm was called, and a Community Warning System Public Health Advisory was issued for smoke in the area.
The fire was contained at approximately 10 acres, with no damage to structures or homes.
One person was located in the brush area of the fire and was evaluated and released at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire was determined to be welding-related.
According to Con Fire PIO Lauren Ono the fire started as a vegetation fire with the first call at 4:26 PM. It then consumed the construction material causing the smoke to turn black. The fire also spread to the land between the railroad tracks and Highway 4.
At least two helicopters could be seen dropping water to douse the flames.
Crews battled the flames on the ground and from the air, including in the area east of the Antioch BART Maintenance Facility.
The Public Health Advisory Committee was issued by Contra Costa Community Warning System she shared. Antioch Police announced on their Facebook page that the advisory was for residents in Oakley, Brentwood, Byron and Discovery Bay as the smoke was blown in those directions.
No one was transported to the hospital, Ono added.
Calls to the company that owns the property for a statement and what their plans are to clear out the underbrush were unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates.
See video of the fire and efforts to extinguish the flames here and here.
By Lt. Joe Njoroge #7052, Antioch Police Field Services Division
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, just before 2:00 p.m., Antioch Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 4000 block of Timberbrook Way. Upon arrival, officers located a 25-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound.
Officers immediately provided medical aid until personnel from Con Fire arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated for injuries determined to be non-life-threatening.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at tips@antiochca.gov.
It’s the second shooting in the city this month and the ninth this year, not including the accidental shooting of a toddler in April
Antioch PD, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Dep’t among 148 Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program recipients
CCC Sheriff Forensic Services Division will use funds for toxicology crime lab
By Tami Grimes, CHP Public Information Officer
SACRAMENTO – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) today announced more than $35 million in grant funding to 148 California law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to help address the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
“As the legal cannabis market continues to grow, so do the state’s efforts to ensure Californians are recreating responsibly. By supporting the organizations that enforce and amplify our laws on the ground, we can keep everyone safer,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
The grants from Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act, assigned the CHP the responsibility of administering grants for education, prevention and enforcement programs aimed at helping communities tackle impaired driving. Additionally, funds are available for crime laboratories that conduct forensic toxicology testing. The funding for these grants comes from a tax on the sale of cannabis and cannabis products in California.
Source: CHP
“This funding represents a major step forward in our ongoing mission to save lives and prevent impaired driving,”said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “With over $35 million going to nearly 150 public safety partners across the state, we’re expanding our reach like never before. These resources will help those on the frontlines keep California’s roads safer for everyone.”
These funds will go towards a variety of activities. One hundred twenty-six recipients of law enforcement grants will use the funding to combat impaired driving in their communities, including Antioch, Danville, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, Richmond and San Ramon Police Departments. The funds will also support drug recognition evaluator training to improve the identification of drug-impaired drivers, as well as public outreach campaigns, including educational presentations and community events.
Eleven recipients of education grants will use the funds to inform local communities about impaired driving laws while highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Source: CHP
Seven recipients of two-year toxicology crime laboratory grants, including the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department Forensic Services Division, will use the funds to eliminate backlogs in analyzing forensic science evidence and to purchase or upgrade laboratory equipment to enhance testing capabilities.
Four recipients of two-year medical examiner’s and coroner’s office grants will use the funds to improve and advance data collection in cases involving driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
With the passage of Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate, and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), California voters mandated the state set aside funding for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to award grants to local governments and qualified nonprofit organizations, as described in Revenue and Taxation Code Section 34019(f)(3)(B).
The Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program marks an important step toward reducing impaired driving crashes, increasing public awareness surrounding the dangers of impaired driving, and making California’s roadways a safer place to travel.
The application process for future grant funding is expected to reopen in early 2026. More information is available on the CHP website at CHP’s Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
Video screenshots of body-worn camera of officer involved shooting of knife-wielding suspect, David Bahrami as he ran toward officers and after he was shot with both lethal and non-lethal rounds showing him still holding a knife. Source: Antioch Police Department
26-year-old David Bahrami had threatened to kill neighbor, rushed officers with knife
Crisis Response Team could not be dispatched to scene
By Acting Lt. Whitaker # 6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
David Bahrami in a photo posted on his Facebook page on Sept. 17, 2024.
As previously reported, on June 30th at 7:15 a.m., Antioch police officers were dispatched to the 3800-block of Osprey Drive after a man called police dispatch and stated he wanted to kill his family. The City’s Crisis Response Team, which deals with mental health crisis calls, could not be dispatched due to previous safety concerns flagged at this location during prior incidents.
Officers tried to contact the caller’s family but were unsuccessful. While officers were gathering information and establishing a plan, a phone call was made to the man, 26-year-old David Bahrami, in an effort to de-escalate the situation and establish contact with his family. Bahrami refused to allow officers to speak with his family and instead made additional threats to kill his neighbor.
During the call, officers positioned themselves on the street corner to create distance and requested Bahrami to come to the end of the street to speak with them. When Bahrami was visible to officers, he was ordered to stop and get on the ground. In response, Bahrami removed a large knife from his waist band and attempted to flank officers before charging directly at them.
A home security camera video screenshot shows a red circle indicating the knife Bahrami removed from his pants as Antioch Police Officers stand at a distance on June 30, 2025. Source: Antioch PD
Despite the deployment of less-lethal munitions, Bahrami continued advancing on officers while holding the knife. Officers discharged their service weapons, striking Bahrami. Officers on scene rendered aid until paramedics staged nearby arrived and took over care; however, Bahrami was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The officers involved are on paid administrative leave per department policy. The Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau is investigating this incident in partnership with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, pursuant to the Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol.
A home security camera video screenshot shows Bahrami running toward Antioch Police Officers and beginning to lift his hands before being shot near his house on Osprey Drive on June 30, 2025. Source: Antioch PD
The Antioch Police Department is currently developing an in-depth, detailed release of information, to include body-worn camera footage, neighborhood surveillance footage, and evidence related to the investigation. A critical incident overview video is linked below.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information regarding the incident, is encouraged to contact Detective Cox at (925) 779-6866 or via email: jcox@antiochca.gov or by calling the Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6926.
L.A. Chargers running back Najee Harris’ eye was injured in a July 4th fireworks explosion in Antioch. Photo & logo source: L.A. Chargers
1 of 7 injured; ESPN posts on X, CBS now reporting his agent says Harris “is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season”
By Allen D. Payton
Rumors have been circulating online all week that former Antioch High football standout Najee Harris sustained an injury to his eye during the previously reported July 4th fireworks explosion in Antioch. No one has confirmed the information until today, Thursday, July 10, when, according to CBS News, his agent, Doug Hendrickson of Wasserman Media Group in Larkspur.
Efforts to confirm the information with Antioch Police and Contra Costa Fire Protection District (Con Fire) personnel have been unsuccessful. The only thing they have shared is that seven people were injured, including four were transported to local hospitals, one in critical condition, two others drove themselves and one refused medical transport.
The explosion occurred in the 2200 block of Spanos Street in Antioch. When police officers arrived on the scene, they discovered the aftermath of an explosion caused by fireworks.
According to Antioch Police Lt. Bill Whitaker, one man lost fingers, was burned, and was still in critical condition on Sunday. But no names of the victims have been released as it’s still an active investigation.
Asked if she had any names of those who set off the fireworks Con Fire PIO Lauren Ono reiterated on Tuesday, “The investigation is still ongoing and that’s part of it.”
Additional efforts to reach Brock Anderson in media relations with the L.A. Chargers, for whom the 27-year-old Harris is now a running back on a one-year, $9.5 million contract, were also unsuccessful prior to publication time.
However, as of 3:58 PM on Thursday, July 10th, ESPN is reporting on X/Twitter, “Breaking: Chargers RB Najee Harris sustained a superficial eye injury during a 4th of July fireworks mishap, sources tell @AdamSchefter. He is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season.” According to his profile Schefter is an “ESPN Senior NFL Insider. Host of the Adam Schefter Podcast http://Instagram.com/AdamSchefter and considered a reliable source.”
Further, CBS is reporting that “Harris sustained an eye injury, according to his agent.” The CBS report reads, “‘Najee Harris was present at a 4th of July event where a fireworks mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees,’ Hendrickson’s statement reads, via NFL Media. ‘Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident, but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season.’”
Efforts to reach Hendrickson for a direct comment on the incident were unsuccessful prior to publication time.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
The City of Antioch presents Resource Recovery Ambassadors: a fun training program for all who live, work or play in Antioch to become experts in sorting discards for recycling and composting to help combat climate change! Participants can receive $75 after completing the 2-part training.
Antioch teen Tyrell Devon Amir Washington in a photo on the GoFundMe page raising money to pay for his funeral expenses.
15-year-old Antioch High student Tyrell Washington, 4 others shot
By Allen D. Payton
According to the San Francisco Police Department, “On July 5th, 2025, at approximately 12:07 a.m., San Francisco Police officers from Bayview Station responded to the 100 block of Harbor Road regarding a shooting. Officers arrived on the scene and located several victims who were suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Officers rendered aid and medics arrived on scene, who transported five victims – three minors and two adults – to the hospital, two with life-threatening injuries and three with non-life-threatening injuries. Despite the lifesaving efforts of the emergency responders and the medical staff, one of the victims succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced deceased.
When asked for the identity of the victim and additional details about the shooting, SFPD Public Information Officer Robert Rueca responded, “At this time we are not identifying the victim in this incident. We are not releasing further details regarding the incident due to the open and active investigation.”
A call and email sent to the San Francisco Chief Medical Examiner’s Office to identify the deceased were unsuccessful prior to publication time.
However, according to a July 9th KTVU FOX2 news report, the victim was 15-year-old Antioch resident Tyrell Washington who was in San Francisco visiting his relatives for the July 4th holiday. His birthday was this Friday, and he would have turned 16 years old.
“Relatives say the teen embraced his Christian faith and was baptized in April,” the KTVU report shared. “Family members described Tyrell as a good student at Antioch High School where he was set to start the 11th grade.”
The SFPD Homicide Detail responded to the scene and is leading the investigation.
In a post on the GoFundMe account set up by Latasha Johnson to help raise funds for Washington’s funeral expenses reads,” Help Us Honor the Life of Tyrell Devon Amir Washington
It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating loss of our beloved Tyrell Devon Amir Washington, who was tragically murdered in Bayview-Hunters Point, San Francisco—just seven days before his 16th birthday.
Tyrell was not involved in gangs in any way. He was a bright, loving, and intelligent young man with his whole life ahead of him. He had just received his driver’s permit and a brand new car—something he was so excited about. Tyrell had already earned all of his high school credits and didn’t need to attend summer school. He was focused, motivated, and full of potential.
Born and raised in Antioch, California since the age of three, Tyrell grew up surrounded by family and community. He was known for his affectionate nature and deep love for those around him. If you knew Tyrell, you knew how much he loved to laugh, connect with others, and simply enjoy life. Tyrell brought people together he was loving, caring, and so kind to everyone who he became in contact with.
On July 4th, Tyrell came to San Francisco to celebrate with family and friends. He was just trying to enjoy the holiday, like any kid would. But his life was senselessly taken from us.
We are asking for your support during this heartbreaking time to help in anyway possible with a donation, no matter the size, means the world to our family.
Tyrell deserved so much more. He was loved, he was cherished, and he will never be forgotten.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and love.
Show your support for this GoFundMe.”
The effort had raised $1,930 of a $50,000 goal by early Wednesday afternoon, July 9.
