3rd arrest this year for Larry Neal, Jr. who was also injured and has history of arrests

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

The Pleasant Hill Police Department is investigating a shooting that injured an adult male and a child. Two arrests have been made.

On December 23, 2024, at about 11:49AM, the Pleasant Hill Police received several calls about numerous gunshots in the area of Contra Costa Blvd. and Vivian Drive. Responding officers were quickly able to locate three vehicles that were involved in the incident. The driver of one of the vehicles, Larry Neal, was struck by gunfire in the hand. A 7-year-old child was inside one of the involved vehicles and sustained minor injuries. Both were treated and released from local hospitals.

The investigation shows that this incident began as a custody dispute between the parents of the injured child and was not a random act. The occupants of two of the vehicles exchanged gunfire with one another at close range.

Contra Costa Blvd. was closed to traffic for several hours but was later reopened.

Alexis Janay Sidney (age 38, born June 9, 1986) of Brentwood was arrested for felony violations of PC 273a(a)- Child Endangerment and PC 246- Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle

Larry Darryl Neal, Jr. (age 27, born Dec. 6, 1997) of Antioch was arrested for felony violations of PC 273a(a)- Child Endangerment and PC 246- Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle, and PC 29800(a)(1)- Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Both were booked at the Martinez Detention Facility.

Our agency is still actively investigating the shooting and ask that anyone with information contact the Pleasant Hill Police Department Investigations Division at (925) 288-4630

Case Number: 24-3760

According to NBC Bay Area news report, the two are parents of the child and the gunfire was over a custody dispute.

Neal Has History of Arrests

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, Neal is five-foot, 11-inches tall, 189 pounds and his being held on $400,000 bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, Neal is Black and was arrested twice this year and twice in 2022. On Jan. 24 he was arrested by Richmond PD for multiple gun charges and on Jan. 25 he was arrested by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies also for multiple gun charges, as well as hit-and-run and evading a police officer with wanton disregard for safety. On Feb. 18, 2022, Neal was arrested by Antioch PD for gun charges including addict in possession of firearm, possession of ammunition and carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner. He was arrested later that year on July 23 by Dublin CHP for assault against a peace officer or emergency personnel, driving while under the combined influence of drugs and alcohol and possession of an open container while driving.

As previously reported, in 2017 Neal was wanted by police for fatally shooting a 43-year-old Bethel Island man, Robert Hopkins, Jr., near the Baskin-Robbins in Pittsburg. He later turned himself in. During the trial a video was shown and according to an East Bay Times report, “The shooting, both defense and prosecuting attorneys agreed, was the culmination of a brief, spontaneous argument between Hopkins, Neal, and Neal’s then-pregnant girlfriend, that began with a stare-down between the two men. After Hopkins ran toward the couple, Neal fired five shots at him, striking him four times, according to testimony.” Neal’s public defender argued Neal fatally shot the Hopkins while defending his pregnant girlfriend to get the charges reduced but the judge in the case struck it down. However, the jury convicted Neal of manslaughter. Neal appealed the conviction, and it was later reduced to unlawful firearm activity and his sentence was vacated.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, two-inch tall, 176-pound Sidney is being held in the West County Detention Center on $350,000 bail.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Bundle up and join us for a chilling adventure at Coyote Hills Winter Whirlwind Camp! Glide into action-packed fun with winter sports and unleash your creativity with cozy arts & craft projects. Enjoy everything from creating winter sculptures to campfire stories and hot cocoa with friends new and old! Don’t miss out on this whirlwind-of-a-week!

For boys and girls ages at least 5 years but less than 12 years 11 months.

Register here: Activity detail | City of Antioch Online Recreation Services.

Presented in coordination with Seven Stars Baptist Church and Midnight Basketball League

Last day to register: Dec. 19

By Yvette Williams

Antioch Seasons of Sharing event on Saturday, Dec. 21, will feature free photos with Santa Claus, live entertainment, gifts, games and activities for the entire family, free groceries and free pop-up Community Boutique. The event will be held from 12:00-4:00 p.m. at Antioch Middle School, 1500 D Street.

Community Supportive Programs

• Employment opportunities
• Free Community resources
• Free Mental Health
• Union Apprenticeship Employment Sign Up
• Free Hot Lunch & Free toy giveaways will be provided until supplies run out.

The last day to register is December 19, 2024. Secondly due to our limited supplies of toys, this event is for our Antioch community members only. All children registered will need to be present for Gift Giving. All Antioch residents will need proof of where they live in Antioch. This information will be verified at the registration table upon entering.

We are grateful for any toy donations or financial support to the success of the event. Anyone can donate through this site, via the donation option. Additionally, we have an Amazon Wish List to guide you. $25 and under https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/JP44T9CR7EDR?ref_=wl_share

For toy drop-offs we will have volunteers at our registration table, ready to receive donations. We can also make alternative arrangements if needed.

For Vendors or community member questions please call or email me directly at (925) 658-8278 or Yvette4Hope@gmail.com. Please follow my Eventbrite page for future Community Events open to the public.

For more information and to register visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1105967541689.

Mark your calendars for the annual Newberry’s Block Toy Drive. Sunday, December 8. 11:00 am-3:00 pm at Lumpy’s Diner, 5891 Lone Tree Way in Antioch.

Please bring an unwrapped gift or $20 donation. Your generous donation will bless underprivileged kids around our area this Christmas season.

Newberry’s B.L.O.C.K. is the nonprofit organization formed by former American professional football player and center for the 49ers, Jeremy Newberry, Benefiting Leagues Offering Children Kindness. It provides underprivileged children the opportunity to participate in sports by sponsoring scholarships and equipment to youth programs

For more information call (925) 783-6050, email newberrysblock@yahoo.com or visit www.facebook.com/NewberrysBlock.

To commemorate the racial integration of schools in 1960

“Racism is a grown up disease, let’s stop using our kids to spread it.” – Ruby Bridges

By Allen D. Payton

Students at Antioch’s Dallas Ranch Middle School will participate in the annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day this Thursday, Nov. 14 to commemorate the day in 1960 when the namesake walked into a racially integrated school. On Thursday, students and families are encouraged to walk to school to demonstrate a shared commitment to ending racism and celebrate the impact of courage, resilience and unity.

According to the Ruby Bridges Foundation website, “Six-year-old Ruby Bridges stepped into the history books in 1960 when she integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans becoming a national icon for the civil rights movement. Today her story continues to inspire the next generation of leaders to end racism together one step at a time.”

According to her Wikipedia page, Bridges was one of six black children to pass the test that determined whether they could go to the all-white school. “Two of the six decided to stay at their old school, Bridges went to Frantz by herself, and three children (Gail Etienne, Leona Tate and Tessie Prevost) were transferred to the all-white McDonogh No. 19 Elementary School. All four 6-year-old girls were escorted to school by federal marshals during the first day they attended the two schools. In the following days of that year, federal marshals continued to escort them.”

About the experience that day for the activist, civil rights icon, author and speaker, according to Bridges’ website, “Greeted by an angry mob and escorted by federal marshals, Ruby bravely crossed the threshold of this school and into history single-handedly initiating the desegregation of New Orleans’ public schools.

The Walk to School Day initiative, the foundation’s website continues, “started with a question from a group of AAA School Safety Patrollers from Martin Elementary in South San Francisco. Nearly 60 years later, as they were hearing Ruby’s story for the first time, and learning about her courage and bravery, they thought there should be a day to commemorate the movement she started. These students took their idea to the State Legislature and today the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day will be recognized by the state of California on November 14 each year. Like Ruby, they lead the way and set an example for all of us to follow.

“Today, Schools like Martin Elementary and Ruby Bridges Elementary in Alameda, California and Ruby Bridges Elementary in Woodinville, Washington continue to honor Ruby’s legacy in their own way. The latest initiative being The Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. An annual day of dialogue to commemorate her historic steps. These students will continue the conversation and take part in their own forms of activism to bring an end to racism and all forms of bullying.”

6:00 – 8:00 pm at 2401 Shady Willow Lane at Lone Tree Way in Brentwood (across from Target).

The Harvest Carnival is our annual family event designed to serve our community by providing a safe and fun space for families to spend Halloween. We will have candy, food trucks, candy, games, bounce houses… and more candy!

We will have delicious food, drinks and treats available for purchase from our amazing vendors: Straw Hat Pizza, Boondoggies and The Bubble Hive!

At admission to the Harvest Carnival, there is a suggested donation of one sealed bag of individually-wrapped candy per child, but we do not want this to keep you from coming!

Guidelines:

1. Costumes:
   • No costume masks for Middle School age and above.
   • Middle School age and above may not wear/hold props that can be easily mistaken for a weapon.
2. Acceptable Props (for Elementary age and below):
   • Props like plastic lightsabers, toy swords, etc., are allowed as long as they are a part of the costume theme.
3. Costume Guidelines:
   • Costumes must be family-friendly—not objectionable, offensive, or violent.

For more information visit www.goldenhills.org.

We are excited for the annual Holy Eve Community Carnival presented by Grace Arms of Antioch. There will be carnival rides, games, food, bouncy houses and of course, candy – all for FREE. Come out with your friends and family for a fun night and safe environment for all! 

Join us at Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch, 3415 Oakley Road in Antioch. For more information visit Holy Eve Community Carnival on Facebook, about the church visit www.gbfofantioch.org or www.facebook.com/GBFofAntioch or call (925) 522-2017.

Join us this Halloween for some fun at Antioch Wesleyan Church. We will have a bounce house, popcorn, trunks full of candy and time for you to come and enjoy.

Antioch Wesleyan Church is located at 2800 Sunset Lane in Antioch. For more information about the church, visit www.antiochwesleyan.com or the church’s Facebook page or call (925) 778-8056.