Started with altercation during event at nearby restaurant; over 70 gunshots fired; police seek help identifying unknown suspect(s); deceased victim not yet identified

By Allen D. Payton

On Saturday morning, July 15, 2023, Antioch Police crime scene investigators and detectives investigated a fatal shooting on W. First Street near I Street in Antioch a little after 2:00 am Saturday. According to Acting Lt. James Colley, a Black male age 45 is deceased and two Black females in their late 20’s had superficial, non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

More than 60 bullet casings could be seen on the ground, Colley shared. Two cars had been shot up, including a white sedan sitting in the adjacent dirt lot Saturday morning which “is the victim’s vehicle” he stated. The other vehicle was an unrelated SUV, sitting on W. First Street Saturday morning, and had its windows shot out, was “caught in the crossfire”, Colley added.

Asked if any of the victims had been in attendance at the event at Monica’s Riverview, he said, “we don’t know that at this time.”

Asked Monday afternoon for the identity of the deceased man, Deputy Sanchez of the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office, “we have not released his name because we don’t have ID nor next of kin, yet.”

Colley, of the APD Investigations Bureau, released the following information Monday afternoon:

“On July 15, shortly after 02:00 am, Antioch Police received several calls for service regarding a shooting near the 200 Block of I Street. Upon arrival to the scene, Antioch Police located one Black male adult who was shot several times. The male later died of his injuries at a local Bay Area hospital. The Antioch Police Investigations Bureau responded to the scene and took over the investigation. No further information will be released at this time.

The Antioch Police Investigations Bureau responded to reports of a homicide on Saturday, July 15 shortly after 2:00 am at Monica’s Riverview, located in the downtown area of Antioch. Detectives learned Monica’s hosted an afterhours party (RnB and Chill), which per witnesses had several hundred people in attendance. During the event, several patrons began to exchange words, which led to a physical altercation outside of the restaurant. During the physical exchange, over 70 gunshots were fired, resulting in the death of a 45- year-old Black male adult. During the gunfire, two females were also hit, but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The deceased male was an Antioch resident.

The Investigations Bureau is still actively working this homicide and following up on potential suspect leads. Any witnesses with information are strongly encouraged to contact detectives for follow up.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

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Walnut Creek man also involved, arrested; victim who shot back not yet arrested

By Captain Walter O’Grodnick, Brentwood Police Department

On Friday, July 14, 2023 around 7:45 PM Brentwood Police officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Marjoram Drive for a shooting that just occurred. A preliminary investigation suggests two males exchanged gunfire, both were hit by gunfire and transported to local hospitals for treatment, one of which sustained serious injuries.

Others were detained on-scene as part of the investigation. This was an isolated incident with no apparent threat to public safety and the motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

While a group of people were leaving a home on Chili Court in Brentwood, two suspects, a 17-year-old male resident of Antioch, and a 20-year-old male resident of Walnut Creek attempted to rob a 21-year-old male resident of Antioch, while all three were armed. All three exchanged gunfire on Marjoram Drive, striking the 17-year-old suspect and 21-year-old victim. The 20-year-old suspect was not injured. Three firearms were recovered at the scene.

The 21-year-old victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The 17-year-old was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. The teen later succumbed to his injuries.

The 20-year-old from Walnut Creek has been arrested but not the 21-year-old from Antioch, yet.

All names are being withheld at this time and there remains no threat to public safety. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is being released at this time. Anyone with information related to this shooting is asked to contact Detective Inerbichler or Detective Goold at 925-809-7911. Callers may remain anonymous.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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Celebration of Life August 26

Ronald Joseph Molina

September 17, 1947-May 30, 2023

Resident of Antioch and Discovery Bay

It would be an understatement to say he was just a Music Man. He was also a charming coach, engaging educator, marvelous mentor, fabulous friend and loving husband.

Ron Molina, iconic director of Antioch High School’s Music Masters, passed away at home on May 30, 2023, after a lengthy illness.

Raised by parents Joseph and Dorothy Molina, he started his life at the old hospital in downtown Antioch. The eldest of three (brother to Debi and Susan), he attended AUSD schools, graduating from AHS in 1965.

It was at that school where he formed deep and lifelong friendships, which would eventually pull him back to Panther Country as a much-admired teacher.

When the young Molina wasn’t singing or playing ball, he spent summers fishing, hunting and camping in the Redwoods with his parents and sisters. It was a team effort with Dorothy setting up camp for the summer, Joseph working during the week and all gathering during the weekends. The family also enjoyed visiting and exploring the rich history of California’s missions.

Alter graduating high school, Ron attended Diablo Valley College before transferring to San Jose State University to major in music – the subject he loved most. After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree, he worked in the private sector for several years.

Ron was a natural entertainer with a gift for singing and playing various instruments. He had the voice of an Italian tenor and would captivate audiences with his remarkable personality and melodic voice. He performed in a vast array of venues, including Carnegie Hall, and entertained passengers on many ocean cruises.

In 1986, after years in the spotlight, he returned to Antioch High initially splitting his time between running football plays and leading the music department – both with winning and long-lasting results. It’s nearly impossible to count the competitions, games, performances and student trips to Hawaii.

It’s even more impossible to measure or comprehend how many young people’s lives Mo – as he was affectionally called – helped shape, influence and guide. That was evident during the 2013 surprise concert featuring 150 of Mo’s Music Masters, who gathered to show their love when he retired. It was a mix of choir students from 1988 to 2013.

At the time, Jason Mullen (Class of 1996) said: “It needed to be larger than life because that is exactly what Mo is.”

Ron met and fell in love with his beautiful wife, Darcy Lauck, while teaching at Folsom High School. Their 1993 wedding was in Hawaii – their peaceful place, for which they shared a love. Darcy adored the tranquility of swimming with dolphins and turtles while Ron would enjoy a delicious pina colada or an ice-cold beer.

“I’m deeply touched (by everyone’s) kind words and thoughtfulness,” she said. “I am eternally grateful to each of you.” She added that “Ron is now singing in heaven for the angels, his voice resonating with a harmonious refrain.”

He leaves behind his wife of 30-plus years, son Joe (Dyan), grandsons Mason and Logan, sisters Debi and Susan, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Darcy will host a Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. Aug. 26 in Antioch High’s Beede Auditorium. In the meantime, those interested can donate to the Ron Molina Memorial Scholarship. Checks may be sent to Antioch High, 700 West 18th St., Antioch, CA 94509.

24-year-old killed, 21-year-old suffering from multiple gunshot wounds transported to local hospital is in serious, but stable, condition.

By Pittsburg Police Department

On July 14, 2023, at 5:12 pm Pittsburg Police officers responded to the 2100 block of Crestview Lane after dispatch received a call of gunshots heard in the area. As officers were responding, a vehicle entered the Pittsburg Police Department parking lot and the driver summoned officers to his car. The officers stopped and found the driver and one passenger inside the vehicle, both suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered medical aid to the two men until paramedics arrived. Unfortunately, the passenger, a 24-year-old male of Antioch, did not survive. UPDATE: He was later identified as Trevon Richardson.

The driver, a 21-year-old male also of Antioch, was transported to a local hospital where he was listed in serious, but stable, condition.

As these officers were tending to the victims in the police department parking lot, more officers responded to the area of Crestview Lane where the original caller heard gunshots. This is where officers located evidence of a shooting. Detectives were called in and are actively working leads.

Due to this being an active investigation, the identities of the victims are being withheld and there will be no further information released at this time.

We ask anyone who has information related to this case to please contact Dispatch at 925-646-2441, or Detective Gutierrez at 925-252-4095

By Maricela Guerrero, Executive Director, Rocketship California

As community schools, we deeply engage our families in their student’s academic life and build our school community around our families. Our Care Corps is an expansion of Rocketship’s community schools model, allowing us to support the whole child and families inside and outside of the classroom. Our full-time Care Corps coordinators help our families navigate support systems and get the assistance they need by overcoming language barriers, red tape, and lack of internet access to connect them to vital services that are too often cumbersome and complicated. Care Corps coordinators are fully dedicated to helping families meet their basic needs so their children can thrive in school.

Rocketship Education operates the Delta Prep TK-5th school in Antioch, Futuro Academy TK-5th in Concord in Contra Costa County, and 11 other schools in California, three in Tennessee, one in Texas with a second opening this fall, two in Wisconsin and three in Washington, D.C.

We’re so proud to have once again holistically served thousands of families through Care Corps in the 2022-2023 school year. This past year:

Partnering with the Healthy Kids Foundation and K-12 Health East Bay, we provided free health screenings for 5,655 students across the Bay Area and partnered with Vision to Learn to give free eyeglasses to 618 Rocketship students. 

We partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank to feed our families – distributing almost 11,000 food kits to families in San Jose and the East Bay.

We partnered with City Team Ministries to offer a pop-up closet for our families at Rocketship Brilliant Minds, helping clothe over 200 households.

We also partnered with Bay Area Urban Barber College to give over 500 Rocketeers and their siblings free school supplies and haircuts.

Partnering with the State of California and the Santa Clara County Department of Health, we hosted a vaccination clinic and community resource fair for our San Jose families.

And last, but not least, our very own Ms. Elena organized a Rocketship folklorico group of 80 students that performed for the community at the Vietnamese Association in San Jose every Wednesday.

Thank you for your continued support of our Rocketeers. Our Care Corps team is excited to continue this important work the next academic year.

For more information visit www.rocketshipschools.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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