27-year-old man shot, killed in Antioch, suspect arrested in Stockton
37-year-old Vallejo man faces homicide charge
Victim previously arrested last Christmas on violence charges
By Lt. Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On Sunday, August 24, 2025, at approximately 11:45 p.m., the Antioch Police Department dispatch center received multiple calls reporting shots fired in the area of Cobblestone Drive and Flagstone Drive. When officers arrived on scene, they located a 27-year-old man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Antioch police officers provided aid to the victim who was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was identified as Richard Morello, Jr.
On Monday, August 25, the Antioch Police Department executed a search warrant at an undisclosed address in Vallejo in connection with the deadly shooting. Evidence from the home was collected. On Tuesday, August 26, Stockton Police Department arrested the suspect, 37-year-old Jesus Soto of Vallejo, without incident for homicide. Evidence from a vehicle he was in was also collected.
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit responded to take over the investigation.
The Antioch Police Department would like to thank our law enforcement partners from Vallejo Police Department and Stockton Police Department.
This is an active investigation. Additional inquiries, tips, or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or by email at jcox@antiochca.gov.
According to localcrimenews.com, Morello was arrested on Dec. 25, 2024, by Chico Police for false imprisonment by violence, battery on spouse, cohabitant or former spouse and disobeying a domestic relations court order.
No additional information could be found in an online search about the suspect.
Asked what led to the shooting and if it was a dispute, Detective Cox said he would not release any additional information, yet, that Soto had not yet arrived at the police department from Stockton and they had not yet interviewed him.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
