Sketches of the suspects in the shooting murder on Aug. 29, 2020. Source: APD

By Antioch Police Department

NEW INFORMATION REGARDING ANTIOCH 8/29/2020 SHOOTING MURDER

Vehicle of interest seen at the scene of the Aug. 29 shooting murder. Source: APD

The Antioch Police Department would like to thank members of the public for coming forward with new information regarding this case, and we are now asking for more help in solving this horrendous shooting death. (See related articles here and here)

Through these new leads the APD Investigations Bureau was able to locate more surveillance video of the suspect vehicle which shows a distorted image of the driver. A witness came forward and Detective Jeong was able to compile a forensic sketch of the shooting suspect and driver.

These persons of interest are described as follows:

• The driver was described as a heavyset black male in his forties with a Faux Hawk (Fohawk) style haircut.
• The shooting suspect was described as a younger black male in his twenties wearing dark clothing and a mask.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective John Cox at (925) 779-6866 (jcox@antiochca.gov), Detective Robert Gerber at (925) 779-6943 (rgerber@antiochca.gov). You may also send an anonymous text tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE SENT 8/29/20

On 8/29/20, at approximately 10:07 AM, Antioch police officers were called to the 1800 block of Tioga Pass Way on the report of several gunshots heard in the area.

Numerous officers responded to the scene and located one male victim down on the sidewalk. The victim was found to be suffering from several gunshot wounds.

Officers immediately began providing first-aid and CPR until emergency paramedics arrived at the scene to take over. The victim succumbed to his injuries and passed at the scene.

During the initial investigation, officers learned that after the shooting the suspect entered a nearby vehicle which fled the area. The victim in this case appears to have been targeted by the suspect(s).

Antioch Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigators and Detectives with the Violent Crimes and Special Operations Units responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Currently, detectives are working to identify any suspects or persons-of-interest. The investigation is still active, and evidence is being collected and evaluated.

Easter is coming ! Easter is coming ! The Antioch Police Department is hoppy to announce that the Easter Bunny has made a special delivery of eggs to the police department ! Starting Monday, March 29th through Saturday, April 3rd, we will be hosting Easter Egg hunts in various locations throughout the City. Keep an eye on Facebook for more details about this event.

To honor the memories of our loved ones, to comfort those left behind, and to collectively begin the healing process, Contra Costa County will tonight hold an online memorial for more than 700 of our family members, friends and neighbors lost in the past year to COVID-19.

The first Contra Costa resident confirmed to have died from the virus passed on March 22, 2020, one year ago today. As of this morning, 734 county residents have died from COVID-19

“While we have reached a somber milestone, we do so at a time of hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Diane Burgis, chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “Remembering the people who we have lost reminds us of how far we have come in our struggle against COVID-19. It also helps us to never forget what the virus cost us.”

Millions have died throughout the world during the past year, including more than 500,000 U.S. residents, in a pandemic that has resulted in closed schools, workplaces, places of worship, and curtailed civic life.

The Hope and Healing Virtual Event begins at 8 p.m. and can be viewed live on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) or on the CCHS Facebook page. Anyone can share this link on social media to watch live: https://youtu.be/83jaK-gznSY. The event will be recorded and rebroadcast on CCTV and available at the CCHS YouTube channel.

The broadcast ceremony includes remarks from healthcare workers and community leaders, an invocation, live music and a synchronized lighting of civic centers across the county, including Brentwood, Danville, Martinez, Moraga, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Ramon and Walnut Creek, along with Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, the Contra Costa County Administration Building and the Save Mt. Diablo Beacon.

Thanks to safe, highly effective vaccines and the hard work of Contra Costa residents to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the county is gradually emerging from the state health order restrictions that have affected every aspect of community life.

We can all play a role in ending the pandemic’s grip on Contra Costa for good – and save lives in the process – by continuing to make healthy choices that reduce the spread of the virus and protect us and our families from COVID-19, such as avoiding large gatherings and close contact with people outside the home, using face coverings and getting vaccinated when it is our turn.

Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus or call 1-833-VAX-COCO (1-833-829-2626) for information and updates about COVID-19 in Contra Costa County, including resources for finding appointments for COVID-19 vaccination and testing.

Thanks to an increase in supply of COVID-19 vaccines, Contra Costa County today is extending vaccine eligibility to anyone who is 50 and older and lives or works in the county, regardless of whether they have an underlying health condition.

The move comes as the county has begun receiving additional vaccine from the federal government for its federally-qualified health centers. This federal allocation is in addition to the vaccine the county gets from the state each week.

A week ago, Contra Costa expanded eligibility to ages 16-64 and older with qualifying underlying health conditions. Today’s announcement removes any health-related qualifiers for those between the ages of 50-64.

“We look forward to the coming months when we can do away with vaccine eligibility, when anyone and everyone is eligible,” said Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Diane Burgis. “More and more doses of vaccine are coming into the county each week and we expect that trend to continue.”

To date, more than 336,000 county residents have received at least one dose of vaccine, including 96% of those age 75 and older. The county will further expand eligibility to others when vaccine supply increases more.

“COVID does not affect everyone the same,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, the County’s health officer. “Older people are more likely to suffer severe disease. Nearly all of the COVID deaths in Contra Costa have been among people over the age of 50. We are making good progress vaccinating those in the groups already eligible and will now continue to prioritize more of the most vulnerable groups in our community.”

More than 235,000 county residents are between the ages of 50-64.

“We are fortunate to have three highly effective vaccines right now,” Dr. Farnitano said. “All the health officers in the Bay Area strongly recommend getting whatever vaccine you can to protect yourself, your loved ones and our community.”

Eligible residents may request a vaccine appointment through the county by filling out an online form or by calling 833-829-2626.

Hwy 4 Hillcrest Avenue offramp hit-and-run suspect’s car on Monday, March 22, 2021. All photos by Allen Payton

Driver and two passengers ran on foot from the scene leaving behind their car, two victims and their vehicles

By Allen Payton

A hit-and-run collision occurred Monday afternoon about 1:45 p.m. at the westbound Hillcrest Avenue offramp from Highway 4, near the BART station, in which one car striking another car, silver Honda and a PG&E utility truck. The driver and two passengers in the white sedan, were seen running on foot from the scene on the westbound sidewalk on Slatten Ranch Road toward Hillcrest Avenue.

According to CHP – Contra Costa Public Information Officer, Brandon Correia, “this just got classified as a three vehicle, no injury, hit-and-run collision. The at-fault party vehicle’s occupants, (reported as three black male adults) fled the scene and were not located.”

Victims’ vehicles of Monday’s hit-and-run at the Highway 4, westbound Hillcrest Avenue offramp.

The three males were also described by witnesses as in their late teens or early twenties. One had appeared to have a gold grill on his upper teeth and was wearing a black hoodie. Another, running with him, was wearing either red shoes or was wearing something red, according to one witness.

At-fault party’s car and CHP vehicle at the scene of the hit-and-run on Monday, March 22, 2021.

One victim, the driver of the silver Honda said he saw a white car that rear ended him as he was stopped at the light at the end of the westbound off ramp at Slatten Ranch Road next to the Antioch BART Station. He said he was in the far-left lane and the PG&E truck was in the right, left turn lane. The suspect’s car struck the back, passenger side of the Honda and the back, driver’s side of the PG&E truck, taking out both tires and wheels.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Mother of five sons, grandmother to nine and great grandmother to four

Lucille Bernice Artz

August 9, 1928 – March 18, 2021

Lucille and Donald Artz on their wedding day March 31, 1948

Lucille Artz peacefully went to rest and awoke in heaven the morning of March 18, 2021.

Lucille was a sweet, Midwest girl. She was born on August 9, 1928 in Hoven, South Dakota to Henry and Eva Peters. She had an older sister, Gladys and two younger brothers, Bill and John. She was the head cheerleader at the high school in Hoven and had many friends, including her best friend Evie Artz.

When Donald Artz came home from WWII, they fell in love and the two were married on Friday, March 31, 1948. She refused to be married on that Saturday since it was April Fool’s Day. The two were very happily married for 39 years, until Don’s passing in 1987.

They moved to Antioch, California in 1955 where they raised their family of five boys. Lucille and Don became active members of Holy Rosary Church. She loved baking for the church’s annual harvest festival and was active in many parish clubs. She was always willing to help contribute to the community.

Lucille Artz and sons on her 90th birthday.

After she raised her family, she worked in the 1980’s and 90’s as a bookkeeper for Antioch Marine Sales.

Lucille was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, Grandmother (Nana) and Great grandmother. She and Don raised five sons Daniel (Christine), David (Kate), John (Alice), Timothy (Kimberly) and Thomas (Kathleen). She was proud of her boys and her nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

She will forever be remembered as a kind, happy woman who always had a smile on her face and loved to laugh.

She is preceded in death by her husband Donald Artz and her son John Artz.

She is survived by her sons Dan, Dave, Tim and Tom.

Man on shopping center roof caught by Antioch Police officers operating drone. Video screenshot by APD 03-21

By Antioch Police Department

Earlier this week graveyard officers responded to a call at a shopping center on Contra Loma Blvd. for a report of an alarm. The alarm company told APD dispatchers that they could see a man climbing onto the roof of the complex from their security cameras. Officers responded to the area and started hearing noises from the roof.

One of the responding officers was one of APD’s drone operators and he quickly launched his drone to check the rooftop. (See video)

While checking the rooftop, the drone located a man hiding behind a large AC unit. The man then started walking along the roof and throwing items he found on the roof at the drone. Then the man found an opening in the roof and climbed inside. Officers on the ground were able to communicate with the man while he hid in the roof access opening.

The officers were able to de-escalate the situation and convince the man to come out and climb down from the roof. Once the man was safely taken into custody, officers were able to access the roof with the help of Contra Costa County Fire Department.

While on the roof, officers found that the man had disconnected the alarm, but no entry was made into any of the businesses.

Three of the 2021 state Knights of Columbus Free Throw champions from East County with their local awards, (L-R) Brigida Coria, Kylie Wisely and Ryan Wisely. Photo by Wayne Steffen.

After winning at the Oakland Diocese Chapter level, two Antioch youths and three others from East County advanced to the State Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship where they had great success.  Here are the results:

Eric Mendoza of Antioch is STATE CHAMPION in the 14-Year-Old Boys competition;

Lilyana Ponce of Antioch took 2nd Place at State in the 12-Year-Old Girls category;

Ryan Wisely of Oakley is STATE CHAMPION for 9-Year-Old Boys;

Kylie Wisely also of Oakley is STATE CHAMPION in the 13-Year-Old Girls competition; and

Brigida Coria of Brentwood is STATE CHAMPION in the 14-Year-Old Girls category

Mendoza and Ponce had won in the first round in the Antioch competition. (See related article)

The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district, and jurisdictional competitions. International champions are announced by the Knights of Columbus international headquarters based on scores from the jurisdiction-level competitions.   All boys and girls ages 8 to 14 are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions.   Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent.

Council #3265 in Antioch, CA is one of 17,000 Knights of Columbus councils that make up the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, today the approximately two million members of the Knights put their faith into action through a broad range of charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally with financial contributions and hands-on service.