Video screenshot shows police have a home on Clearbrook Road taped off following the fatal shooting of a toddler Tuesday evening, April 8, 2025. Source: Antioch resident who chose to remain anonymous
By Antioch Police Department
This evening, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Antioch Police Department dispatch center received a call reporting that a three-year-old had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a home on Clearbrook Road.
Tragically, the child did not survive. At this time, the incident appears to be an accidental shooting.
This is a heartbreaking event, and our thoughts are with the family and all those affected during this incredibly difficult time.
Additional details will be shared as they become available. We ask for the community’s patience and continued respect for the family’s privacy as the investigation continues.
Antioch Bicycle Garden Conceptual Streetscape Plan to be located at Prewett Family Park on Lone Tree Way. Source: City of Antioch
Will also consider spending $225K more for Amtrak Station Upgrades, purchasing 2 armored rescue police vehicles, support for County’s African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub to locate in Antioch
Will first hold Budget Study Session on Public Works, Parks & Rec Departments
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Antioch City Council will finalize the design of the Bicycle Garden at Prewett Family Park, discuss spending $225,000 more for the Amtrak Station Upgrades and purchasing two armored rescue police vehicles at a cost of up to $531,800. They will also consider supporting the County’s proposed African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub to be located in Antioch.
Antioch Bicycle Garden Streetscape Elements – Agility. Source: City of Antioch
Before their regular meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m., the council will hold a Closed Session at 4:00 p.m. for another discussion on the Public Employee Performance Evaluation of City Manager Bessie Scott. That will be followed by a Budget Study Session on the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments at 5:00 p.m.
The Budget Session and regular meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in historic, downtown Rivertown. It can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast local access cable Channel 24 of AT&T U-verse Channel 99.
Easter Egg Hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny and Petting Zoo, plus, Stuffed Animal Giveaway!
Join us for an afternoon of Easter Egg Hunting and pictures with the Easter Bunny, Saturday, April 9, 2025.This is a free and fun, family-friendly event for the public. Rivertown businesses have a Merchant-2-Merchant egg hunt from 12:00 to 4:00 pm.
Events at Waldie Plaza, on W. 2nd Street across from City Hall, include a Petting Zoo from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, photos with the Easter Bunny at Rivertown Treasure Chest at 306 G Street from 11:00 am to 2:00 p.m. sponsored by Jim Lanter State Farm, then at Waldie Plaza plus, another Easter Egg Hunt from 3:00 to 4:00 pm.
K-911 Animal Rescue kindly donated 600 stuffed animals to be distributed throughout Rivertown Merchant stores, so every child gets one while supplies last.
Visit the following Participating Merchants in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown: Almost There Travel • Royal Banquet • Abuelita’s House Pastries & Deli • Guadalajara Taqueria • Sweets on Second • Flying Dutchman Tattoo • Antioch Chamber of Commerce • Jim Lanter State Farm Insurance • Rivertown Community Church • Feral Unicorn Snack Emporium • Chef Jeff’s Smash Burgers • Ellie’s Grooming • TNT Smoothie & Juice Bar • The 4 Seasonings Steakhouse • Rivertown Treasure Chest • HIMC Hair Studio • Studio B Dance Studio • La Plazuela Restaurant • Antioch Community Federal Credit Union • Willow Park Mercantile.
Presented by Celebrate Antioch Foundation and the Rivertown merchants. Learn more at www.celebrateantioch.org and www.downtownantioch.com. Follow the Rivertown merchants, events and activities at www.facebook.com/antiochrivertown or on the Downtown Antioch Assocation page on Facebook.
Antioch Police and Con Fire Hazardous Materials personnel were on site and inside the home investigating the incident on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. Photos by Allen D. Payton
Has history of arrests dating to 2017 and twice last year, including for child endangerment and cruelty to a child
“After conducting several tests, Con Fire HAZMAT determined the home to be uninhabitable.”
By Allen D. Payton
Four children were found unconscious in an Antioch home on Thursday, February 20, 2025, after a call came in from a passerby at 4:51 p.m. who stopped to check on them, and their mother was later arrested for child abuse. The children, ages 2, 2, 5 and 8, have been placed in the custody of Child and Family Services.
“We got a call from someone driving by who stopped and checked on the kids,” said Antioch Police Lt. Njoroge while at the scene. “When we got here, we checked on the welfare of the children. We’ve contacted the parents.”
Contra Costa Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Bob Atlas said, “We got the call about 5:15 pm that there were four children unconscious in the home. We arrived on scene, Antioch PD retrieved all the children and brought them outside. Con Fire provided medical care and transported all four children to area hospitals for evaluation. No adults were in the home.”
“We don’t know what it was. But we know a lot of things it wasn’t,” he explained. “When it’s a mystery like this we start by ruling out what it isn’t.”
At about 6:30 p.m. Con Fire placed a blower outside the home facing the open front door. “We are currently blowing out the environment for anything that could be potentially harmful,” Atlas added.
A blower was placed outside the open front door of the home on Spruce Way off Eagleridge Drive.
The following press release with additional details about the incident was issued Friday afternoon:
According to. Lt. Njoroge of the Field Services Division, “just before 5:00 p.m., officers responded to a welfare check regarding a 2-year-old child who was found alone and outside a home on the 2100 block of Spruce Way by a passerby. Upon arrival, officers discovered the front door of the residence was unsecured. Officers knocked and announced themselves, however nobody responded.
To ensure the child’s safety, officers entered the home and found three additional young children, with no adults present. The children appeared to require medical attention, and Con Fire, along with paramedics, was requested to the scene. All four children were transported to nearby hospitals for further evaluation.
UPDATE: To clarify matters, Lt. Njoroge later said, “Three of the four children were unconscious. The two-year-old seen outside was back in the house by the time officers arrived. But I can’t say which of the four was not unconscious.”
The children’s mother, 36-year-old Shante Alberty, later arrived at the residence and was placed under arrest on child abuse-related charges. She was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.
After conducting several tests, Con Fire HAZMAT determined the home to be uninhabitable. All four children were medically cleared and placed into the custody of Child and Family Services (CFS).
Antioch Police and Con Fire personnel discuss the incident.
This information was made available by the Field Services Bureau. Any further inquiries into the status of this case should be done via the Media Access Telephone Line 925-779-6874. Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Investigations Bureau.”
According to localcrimenews.com, Alberty has a history of arrests dating back to 2017 including twice last year by Antioch PD and San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department for crimes including battery on a spouse, cohabitant or former spouse, and on Sept. 5, 2024, for possession of a narcotic controlled substance, child endangerment and cruelty to a child by inflicting injury.
According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, she is Black. Also, according to the Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 175 lb. Alberty was born on March 22, 1988, and is being held on $425,000 bail. She’s being held in the West County Detention Facility.
See exclusive Antioch Herald video of the scene, here.
Celebrate your love story in style this Valentine’s Day in Martinez
By Dawn Kruger, Civic Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder’s Office
Martinez, CA — Start your love story or renew your vows in an unforgettable way this Valentine’s Day! The Contra Costa County Clerk’s Office is thrilled to announce its annual Valentine’s Day Destination Weddings, hosted this year at the iconic Cobra Experience Museum in Martinez on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Nestled in the heart of Martinez, the Cobra Experience Museum offers an elegant unique automotive setting for your special day. Surrounded by beautifully restored classic cars and a vibrant atmosphere, couples will have the opportunity to exchange vows in a venue that exudes charisma and charm. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or simply looking for a one-of-a-kind, memorable location, this hidden gem is the perfect place to say, “I do.”
The Cobra Experience is a non-profit museum educating future generations and celebrating Shelby American’s world dominance in sports car racing.
Event Details: • Date: Friday, February 14, 2025 • Location: Cobra Experience Museum, 777 Arnold Drive, Suite 200, Martinez • Appointments: Limited appointments available – secure your time by calling 925-335-7900.
“Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, and we are excited to offer couples a truly special way to commemorate their union,” said Kristin B. Connelly, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder and Commissioner of Marriages. “The Cobra Experience Museum provides a stunning and unique setting that makes every ceremony unforgettable.”
Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a romantic vow renewal, the Clerk’s Office staff is here to make your day seamless and stress-free. Spaces are limited and filling quickly, so don’t wait to reserve your spot.
How to Reserve To schedule your wedding or vow renewal, contact the Contra Costa County Clerk’s Office at 925-335-7900. Our team will assist you in securing your appointment and answering any questions you may have. The Clerk-Recorder’s office has also opened additional wedding appointments at our office to accommodate the high demand on Valentine’s Day.
A marriage license must be obtained before a ceremony can be performed. Couples must purchase a license before their ceremony appointment at the County Clerk-Recorder’s office in Martinez. The fee for a public marriage license is $95, while a confidential license is $100. The Destination Wedding Ceremony fee is $120.
Celebrate your love story in style this Valentine’s Day. The Contra Costa County Clerk’s Office and the Cobra Experience Museum are ready to make your dreams come true.
About the Cobra Experience Museum The Cobra Experience Museum is dedicated to showcasing the history and legacy of Shelby American’s iconic cars. With a stunning collection of classic vehicles and engaging exhibits, the museum provides a dynamic and visually striking environment for any occasion.
For more information about this event or other Clerk’s Office services, please visit www.contracostavote.gov or call 925-335-7900.
SACRAMENTO, CA — In a pivotal ruling for parental rights, U.S. District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez refused to dismiss a class-action lawsuit against California’s controversial policies requiring educators to keep parents uninformed when their children express gender confusion or request to change their names and pronouns at school. The decision, handed down on January 7, 2025, denies the motions filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Department of Education to throw out the case by arguing that gender secrecy policies were “just a suggestion,” and not mandated on school districts. Now the suit can move forward toward potentially overturning the state’s ban parent notification policies with the passage of AB 1955 last year.
Teachers Not Required to Keep Secrets from Parents In a powerful statement addressing the rights of educators, Judge Benitez clarified that teachers are under no obligation to follow policies that compel them to deceive or withhold information from parents. Judge Benitez emphasized that “teachers do not completely forfeit their First Amendment rights in exchange for public school employment.” He noted that while teachers may be required to deliver specific curricula, the government cannot force them to act unlawfully or infringe on parental rights. Benitez agreed with the plaintiffs that state policies compel them to act in ways that are “intentionally deceptive and unlawful,” violating the teachers’ First Amendment rights.
Upholding Parents’ Constitutional Rights Judge Benitez also emphasized long-standing constitutional protections for parents in the upbringing and health decisions of their children. “Parents’ rights to make decisions concerning the care, custody, control, and medical care of their children is one of the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests that Americans enjoy,” he wrote, rebuking the state’s argument that parents have no fundamental right to be informed of their child’s gender identity at school. “However, under California state policy and EUSD policy, if a school student expresses words or actions during class that are visible signs that the child is dealing with gender incongruity or possibly gender dysphoria, teachers are ordered not to inform the parents.”
Ultimately, the judge denied the state’s efforts to dismiss the case, stating, “There are no controlling decisions that would compel this Court to limit or infringe parental rights, notwithstanding the State’s laudable goals of protecting children.”
The ruling directly challenges California’s “Parental Exclusion Policies,” which have allowed schools to hide critical gender identity information from families under the guise of student privacy. Judge Benitez concluded that parents have a constitutional right to know about their child’s gender incongruity, especially when such conditions could lead to significant mental health issues like depression or suicidal ideation.
Broad Implications for State Policy The lawsuit is now free to move forward, and if successful, it could dismantle policies statewide that currently compel educators to bypass parents on sensitive matters concerning gender identity. This would represent a significant victory for parental rights advocates who argue that these policies infringe on the fundamental rights of families and erode trust between parents and schools.
Legal Counsel Speaks Out Paul Jonna, Special Counsel for the Thomas More Society, Partner LiMandri & Jonna LLP,and a lead attorney on the case, hailed the decision as a milestone moment for parental rights. “We are incredibly pleased that the Court has denied all attempts to throw out our landmark challenge to California’s parental exclusion and gender secrecy regime,” Jonna said in a press release. “Judge Benitez’s order rightly highlights the sacrosanct importance of parents’ rights in our constitutional order and the First Amendment protections afforded to parents and teachers.”
Jonna emphasized the broader goal of achieving statewide relief for all parents and teachers affected by the secrecy policies, adding, “We look forward to continuing to prosecute this case against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the other defendants, to put this issue to rest once and for all—by obtaining class-wide relief on behalf of all teachers and parents.”
Reaction from California Family Council Greg Burt, Vice President of the California Family Council, praised the ruling for upholding parental rights. “This decision is a critical step toward restoring the sacred bond between parents and children,” Burt stated. “When government policies force schools to keep secrets from families, they cross a dangerous line. Judge Benitez’s ruling reaffirms that parental rights are not a secondary concern but a cornerstone of our constitutional freedoms.”
A Collision of Rights Judge Benitez also addressed the tension between a child’s right to privacy and parents’ right to be informed. While acknowledging the competing interests, he concluded, “In a collision of rights as between parents and child, the long-recognized federal constitutional rights of parents must eclipse the state rights of the child.” This statement sets a clear precedent favoring parental oversight in matters of health and education.
Looking Ahead As Mirabelli v. Olson proceeds, the case is likely to garner increased attention, setting the stage for a broader examination of how states balance student privacy with parental rights. The outcome could redefine policies across California and potentially influence similar debates nationwide.
About California Family Council California Family Council works to advance God’s design for life, family, and liberty through California’s Church, Capitol, and Culture. By advocating for policies that reinforce the sanctity of life, the strength of traditional marriages, and the essential freedoms of religion, CFC is dedicated to preserving California’s moral and social foundation.
