Homeless Antioch man fatally shot next to railroad tracks Saturday
Antioch Police search home in Brentwood for suspect who was taken into custody; Brentwood PD assists with new armored vehicle
At least 11 murders in city, this year
By Allen D. Payton
Antioch Police are investigating a fatal shooting of transient man by an unknown suspect next to the railroad tracks between Waldie Plaza and the fishing pier, in downtown Antioch Saturday evening.
Witnesses said the victim, named Eric, age 29, was shot point blank in the chest in front of his tent next to the BNSF Rail line after a Hispanic man walked up to him, asked his name then shot him. One woman said a group of people tried to resuscitate the victim, but he succumbed to his injuries.
According to an interview of Antioch Police Lt. Rick Martin by Art Ray of Bay News Video, Antioch Police served a search warrant at a home in Brentwood looking for the shooting suspect.
“Based on our investigation we had leads that led us to the 1200 block of Dainty Avenue in the City of Brentwood” where the suspect, described as is a Hispanic male in his 30’s, was believed to have gone, Martin shared.
The 40-year-old suspect from Concord was taken into custody.
The shooting incident “started as a dispute between two males,” Martin added.
Ray said Brentwood Police assisted APD by using their new armored Emergency Rescue Vehicle during the search at the home.
Lt. Martin said he believes this is the 11th homicide in the City, this year. According to the crimes statistics on the Antioch Police website there were nine murders through September. In addition, as previously reported, another homicide occurred in November.
12/17/23 5:55 PM UPDATE from APD – The following press release was issued by Lt. Martin of the Antioch Police Investigations Bureau early Sunday morning but issues with APD’s server prevented it from being sent out to the media until Sunday evening:
On December 16, 2023, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Antioch Police Dispatch began receiving calls of a shooting near the railroad tracks in the 700 block of W. 1st Street. Antioch Police officers arrived and located a 29-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers arrived on scene and immediately began rendering first aid. Paramedics arrived a short time later and pronounced the male deceased.
Witnesses on scene provided information to officers of the suspect and the suspect vehicle. A short time later, Brentwood Police located the suspect vehicle in the 1200 block of Dainty Avenue. With the assistance of the Brentwood police patrol officers and Brentwood police SWAT team, a 40-year-old male suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Antioch Police Detectives are still conducting this active investigation. We are withholding the name of the decedent until proper family notification has been made. The suspect’s name will be released at a later date.
APD would like to thank the Brentwood Police Department and Antioch citizens for their assistance in this investigation. No further information will be provided at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441.
the attachments to this post:
Brentwood ERV – Art Ray
Waldie Plaza taped off 12-16-23 ADPayton
Victim’s tent 12-16-23 redacted ADPayton
