By Lieutenant J. Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Saturday, March 9, 2019 at approximately 9:12 pm, Antioch police officers responded to West 19th Street near “D” Street on the report of several gunshots in the area. While officers were responding, dispatchers received information that two subjects had been shot. When officers arrived at the scene, they located a 25-year-old male gunshot victim in the street, and a 20-year-old male gunshot victim near the front of a residence.

Officers immediately provided first aid to the victims until ambulance and Contra Costa County Fire paramedics arrived. Paramedics transported both victims to a local area trauma center. The 25-year-old victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and the 20-year-old victim ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

The suspect fled the area prior to police arrival and was not located. Currently, this homicide is under investigation and evidence is being collected.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441, or Detective Bledsoe at 925-779-6884. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Herald file photo.

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney

On March 4, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Kamani Stelly of Antioch guilty of five felonies, including the attempted murder of four victims and shooting at an occupied motor vehicle that contained innocent passersby, all stemming from a shooting committed by Stelly in broad daylight in December 2016. (See related article).

In the late morning of December 19, 2016, Stelly opened fire on a group of men at the corner of Cavallo Road and East 18th Street in Antioch. Stelly fired 18 shots from a semi-automatic pistol at the group of men as he paced from Cavallo Road towards the men at a nearby Little Caesar’s Pizza. One member of the targeted group was injured from Stelly’s shooting.

The busy intersection in Antioch is surrounded by local businesses and homes. One of Stelly’s bullets hit an innocent victim while she rode as a passenger in a moving car. As a result of the shooting, this young woman lost an eye and will use a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

Stelly now faces a maximum sentence of 160 years to life in state prison. Sentencing will occur on April 12, 2019 in front of the Honorable Nancy Stark – Department 20 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Richard Ewenstein prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The case originated in the Office’s Community Violence Reduction Unit.

“The defendant’s decision to resolve an argument with gunfire gravely wounded two people and endangered countless others. We are grateful to the members of the jury for their service and attention to this case and to the victims and witnesses of this crime for their courage in testifying,” stated DDA Ewenstein.

Stelly’s half-brother, Ronvell Scheneck pleaded no contest last year to being an accessory after the fact to the shooting and was sentenced to two years in prison. Another co-defendant, Cody Moss, will be sentenced to 12 years in state prison for his role in the attack.

Case information: People v. Kamani Stelly, Docket Number 05-171136-5

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

The investigation into the in-custody death at the Martinez Detention Facility is continuing. The investigation is being conducted by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Sheriff per the in custody fatal incident protocol.

On Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at about 11:09 PM, a Deputy Sheriff found an inmate who was unresponsive during a room check at the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF). The Deputy immediately called for jail medical staff to respond. Life-saving measures were performed on the inmate. An ambulance and the fire department responded to MDF. The inmate was transported to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. He was later pronounced deceased.

The 65-year-old male inmate is identified as Leartis Johnson of Antioch. He was originally booked into the MDF on May 16, 2018 by the BART police. His original charges included attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery.

His death appears to be health related.

The Zmed Brothers

Saturday March 9, 2019 

2:00 pm  & 8:00 pm

Best Seats Available at the 8:00 pm Performance

Since 2016, brothers Zachary and Dylan Zmed along with their partner and drummer Burleigh Drummond, have celebrated the pivotal music and history of The Everly Brothers legacy with enthusiastic crowds all across the US and over seas in prestigious venues. They say, “ The music of the 50’s and 60’s are nostalgic for us, our parents raised us all on it, and we feel that the Everly’s contribution is greatly overlooked, especially by younger generations. Our aim is not to impersonate but to do our best in honoring the aesthetics of their iconic sound and in honoring the important role they played in pioneering the rock n’ roll movement, all while having a little fun sharing our own personal story,” and they do just that. With a father, (Adrian Zmed) as a traveling singer/dancer/actor (Grease 2, Bachelor Party, T.J. Hooker), and a mother (Barbara) as a second grade teacher in a suburb of Los Angeles, the Zmed Brothers continuously strive to pay homage to their personal roots by always infusing an instinctual blend of entertainment (a la Smothers Brothers) and contextual education in their performance.

The Everly brothers career lasted over half a century, they recorded 21 studio albums, sold more than 60 million records worldwide, had over 30 billboard top -100 singles, which still to this day is the record for most billboard charting hits of any sibling rock duo ever, they received numerous accolades in their later career, and influenced countless legendary artist that came after them including The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Bee Gees, Neil Young..and the list goes on. THE ZMED BROTHERS are absolutely thrilled to be able to contribute to a cause that supports the recognition and preservation of the intimate and singular origins of America’s greatest Rock n’ Roll singing sibling duo. Real life brothers Dylan and Zachary Zmed and The Bird Dogs band bring a genuine and heartfelt Everly Brothers Experience to the stage in this exuberant concert celebrating the extraordinary harmonies created by Don and Phil Everly. When the guitar became electric, the Everly Brothers bridged the gap between Country and Rock ‘n Roll. With so many hits and classics including “All I Have to Do is Dream,” “Cathy’s Clown,” “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Let It Be Me,” “Til I Kissed Ya,” “When Will I Be Loved,” and “Bird Dog,” the Everly Brothers inspired many artists that followed.

Reserved Seating Adults: $29   Seniors (62 and Over): $27   Youth (Under 18):  $15

Purchase Tickets Online, here.

El Campanil Theatre is located at 602 W. 2^nd Street in Rivertown – Historic Downtown Antioch. Tickets are also available at the Box Office, located next door and is open Tuesday through Friday 10 am to 2 pm and one hour before show time, or by calling (925) 757-9500.

By Steve Padilla, Director Contra Costa County Public Works Department

March 6, 2019, Clayton, CA – Marsh Creek Road is closed in both directions, between the Clayton city limits and Morgan Territory Road due to rock and mud slides.  We anticipate re-opening the road by early afternoon. Please take alternative routes to avoid this area.