Started as altercation at Antioch Marinawhere shots were fired
By Lt. Rick Martin, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On August 12, 2023, at approximately 2:58 AM, Antioch Police Dispatch center began receiving calls of shots fired in the 1000 block of W. 6th Street. At the same time, Contra Costa Sheriff’s dispatch advised they had located a victim of a shooting in Century Plaza in the City of Pittsburg who had been shot in Antioch.
During the initial investigation, it was learned an altercation had occurred between a group of subjects at the Antioch Marina where shots were fired. As the groups left the marina in their vehicles, the altercation continued to the 1000 block of W. 6th Street where more shots were fired. A 14-year-old female victim was driven to Century Plaza and a call to 9-1-1 was made. The juvenile victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
APD Detectives are actively working this investigation. Anyone with information related to this incident are encouraged to contact our non-emergency at 925-778-2441 or Detective Allen at 925-779-6923.
Cars can be seen doing donuts in the Antioch boat launch parking lot and at W. 2nd and L Streets next to the Antioch Police station in front of officers late nights in July 2023. The building in the photo had a bullet hole in one of the outside walls from the gunfire Thursday night, Aug. 10, 2023. Herald file photos
Bullet hole in at least one building; police dealing with homicide unable to respond; Councilman wants zero-tolerance details to supplement patrol
A bullet hole can be seen in the outside wall of the building on the corner of W. 2nd and L Streets across from the Antioch Police Station Friday morning, August 11, 2023. Photo courtesy of Joy Motts.
By Allen D. Payton
Two residents complained about more cars at the Antioch Marina parking lots and dozens of gunshots Thursday night, August 10, 2023, once again disturbing downtown area residents. At least one building that houses a non-profit organization across the street from the police station ended up with a bullet hole in the outside wall.
Rivertown resident Joy Motts shared with the Herald on Friday, “Last night over 40 cars were at Antioch Marina parking lot. At 11:08pm, at least 40 shots were fired from automatic weapons. We heard it at our house. All of downtown heard it. At least 30 cars were counted speeding away.”
“I have videos of what it was like for the residents at 2nd and L Street and of all the vehicles speeding away. But the resident does not want them on social media or news for fear of retaliation,” she continued. “(District 3 Councilman) Mike Barbanica is trying, but this has become an emergency situation in downtown.”
“What is also concerning is there is no reporting after the fact. A bullet hole was found in the building at the corner of W. 2nd and L Streets. Police did show up after the fact,” Motts wrote. “Why was there no police reporting? Innocent people are going to die, it is only a matter of time. We are at our wits end. It is chaos in downtown. All of us know that live here.”
“They need private armed security in the Antioch Marina at night,” she shared. “And APD needs to put those drones to use that Lamar (Mayor Thorpe) says are solving crimes. We are desperate.”
“It’s every night, now. Sideshows, donuts and gunshots,” Motts added later.
On a downtown resident’s Facebook page on Friday, he confirmed hearing the multiple gunshots.
“So last night we are sitting at home and around 11pm we hear 50-60 gunshots (yes really, probably more) and if you live in Antioch you kind of get numb to these things, but this time it was different because we could hear the whizzing noise of the bullets going through the air. Sounded like it originated from the Marina. I look out the window and see multiple cars speeding off, followed by sirens shortly after. What gets me is if you listen to most of our elected officials namely the Mayor or Tamisha (Mayor Pro Tem Torres-Walker), you would think the biggest problem in Antioch is hordes of white supremacists (and the patriarchy) terrorizing the public. The Mayor even claimed that crime and sideshows are down (probably because no one reports it anymore) They offer nothing but deflection. I’m not going to act like they are responsible for all this towns [sic] problems, but they are part of it for sure. Its [sic] downright embarrassing listening to these people talk. The sad part is, Antioch at least on paper has everything to be a very nice city. Miles of waterfront, Black Diamond Mines, Contra Loma, etc, but with years and years of mismanagement its [sic] becoming a dump, literally.”
Their information was shared with Antioch Police media relations officers and the new acting chief asking for confirmation and what if anything the police did in response..
“Yes. We heard about the gunshots and cars at the marina,” APD Public Information Liaison Sgt. Price Kendall shared. “We had four officers working the homicide (from earlier that night) leaving us two officers to deal with 40 cars.”
The department is currently short-staffed with at least 35 sworn officers on paid leave during the two investigations and 16 vacancies from the 115 positions approved in the budget.
When reached for comment Barbanica said, “I had a meeting with the city manager on it, yesterday and I made it very clear that the only way the city is going to get this resolved is with a zero-tolerance, hard-line stance. We cannot continue to have lawlessness. I told him we need to be doing is running special, overtime details in the evenings and bring in surrounding agencies, if need be. If someone is coming into our community to commit crime, it’s going to make it very uncomfortable.”
“I fear this not slowing down until we take a pro-active approach, and it must be a zero-tolerance stance for any crime whatsoever,” he reiterated. “This needs to be outside the standard patrol of the officers who are out there enforcing the law.”
“I ran zero-tolerance details in the City of Pittsburg for six years and the team was credited with lowering the crime rate by 23 percent,” Barbanica shared.
“We need to make sure city leaders and community leaders are on board because there will be people complaining. But we cannot continue on this path,” he added.
After 30 years of service, Sergeant Steve Aiello has retired. Sergeant Aiello began his career in June of 1992 serving the citizens of Antioch as a Reserve Police Officer. In June of 1999, Steve Aiello graduated the police academy and was promoted to the rank of police officer where he proudly served for the next 24 years.
During his career, Sergeant Aiello worked as a member of the Special Response Unit, Auto Theft Investigator, Narcotics/Vice Detective, Gang Unit, Community Engagement Team and a member of the Rifle team. As a detective, he was awarded the Medal of Valor in 2012 for his participation of a robbery/homicide investigation.
In 2017, he was promoted to the Rank of Corporal where he supervised numerous patrol teams, the Crisis Negotiations Team and helped purchase and design the department’s first Mobile Command Vehicle.
Sergeant Aiello served 17 years as part of the Antioch Police Officer’s Association (APOA) holding every position to include POA President for the last 4 of those years. His biggest accomplishment while serving the POA was the purchase, design and overseeing the yearlong construction of our new POA building for current and future members to enjoy.
In 2022, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant where he has served proudly and honorably until retiring.
Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, Sergeant Aiello. Thank you for your service and you will be missed.
Antioch Police responded to and investigated the scene of the shooting death on W. 20th St in Antioch Thursday evening, Aug. 10, 2023. Photo courtesy of Mike Burkholder
By Lt. Rick Martin, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department
On August 10, 2023, at approximately 1807 hours, APD dispatch received multiple calls from citizens advising of a male having just been shot in the 600 block of W. 20th Street. Officers arrived and located a 31-year-old Hispanic male from Antioch suffering from a gunshot wound. Life saving measures were performed by officers and paramedics. The male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The victim has been identified. However, we are withholding his information at this time until the next of kin has been notified.
The suspect is unknown and APD detectives are currently conducting this ongoing investigation. No further information will be provided at this time.
After 25 years of distinguished law enforcement service, Captain Trevor Schnitzius retired on August 4, 2023.
Trevor grew up and attended school in the City of Vallejo where he threw shot put and discus for his high school track team. After high school, he attended Diablo Valley College, where he earned an Associate’s degree before transferring to CSU Sacramento. There, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
Trevor was hired by the City of Antioch in 1998, shortly after graduating from Sacramento State, as a police trainee and attended the Police Academy at Los Medanos College. While many of Trevor’s family members chose to serve as firefighters, he found police work to be more interesting and exciting and chose Antioch.
During his service with APD, he has worked patrol, as a Detective, as a Field Training Officer, as a member of our Honor Guard, a defensive tactics instructor and as a member of our social media team. Trevor has served as our VIPS Coordinator as well as being heavily involved with our Cadet program for over 18 years (his oldest son also served as a Police Cadet and is now a Community Service Officer). Trevor is also involved in his community and has also coached water polo and wrestling.
We wish Trevor plenty of time with his family in retirement and we will deeply miss someone who has been such a big part of this department for so long.
Report of possible drive-by during celebration of life for Antioch teen shot, killed in attempted Brentwood robbery last month
By Pittsburg Police Department
At approximately 2:15 PM, Pittsburg Police officers responded to Highlands Ranch Park after receiving multiple 911 calls regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located evidence of a shooting as well as a 24-year-old male that had sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. First aid was rendered, and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
A resident reported the shooting occurred during the celebration of life for the 17-year-old Antioch resident who was shot and killed while attempting to rob an Antioch resident in Brentwood on July 14, 2023. But those details have not yet been confirmed by police. (See related article)
Officers interviewed multiple witnesses on scene and are currently collecting and reviewing surveillance video from the area in order to identify those involved. The Pittsburg Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance and asks anyone with additional information to contact dispatch at (925) 646-2441. No further information is available at this time.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
A Con Fire Inspector and dog investigate damage from a fire in the garage of a home on Mt. Hamilton Drive in Antioch on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Photo by Art Ray, Bay News Video
Man threatens to kill his family, drives car into house,arrested at Bay Point BART Station
Suspect is being held on $300K bail, has history of arrests
By Allen D. Payton
A one alarm fire started in the garage of a home in the 1700 block of Mt. Hamilton Drive in Antioch Tuesday night, August 8, 203. The investigation determined it to be the result of arson
“We received the call at 10:40 p.m.” According to Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief & PIO Tracie Dutter stated.
On Wednesday, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced the arrest of 44-year-old Adil Abbas Aljanaby (born 9/23/78) for arson and threatening the life and safety of his family after a domestic dispute with his wife.
The responding firefighters worked quickly and were able to prevent the fire from spreading beyond the garage. After a thorough investigation, the fire was found to have originated in the garage. With the assistance of accelerant detection K-9 Baxter, Con Fire investigators determined the area of origin was inside a vehicle in the garage.
Upon further investigation, Con Fire Investigators learned approximately one hour prior to the fire, Aljanaby threatened to drive through the house, set the house on fire, and kill his family.
Antioch Police officers investigate damage from a fire in the garage of a home on Mt. Hamilton Drive in Antioch on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Photo by Art Ray, Bay Video News
On Wednesday, Aug. 9, investigators located a witness who saw the dispute unfold. The witness identified Aljanaby as driving into the garage door, then entering the garage. A fire was seen inside as he left.
At 10 p.m. Aljanaby was detained at the Bay Point Bart Station by Con Fire investigators. They observed damage to the front of Aljanaby’s vehicle consistent with the damage to the garage door. Aljanaby was arrested and charged with arson to an inhabited structure or property.
Aljanaby was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. The Antioch Police Department has additional ongoing investigations and will be submitting further cases with additional charges.
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the 6’5″, 220 lb. Aljanaby is being held on $300,000 bail. According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating to 2019 by Antioch PD, BART PD and Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office for DUI, disobeying a domestic relations order, and just last month for resisting arrest and contempt of court.
The hit and run suspect’s car struck another car, injuring two people and a fire hydrant in downtown Antioch early Sunday, August 6, 2023. Photo by Art Ray, Bay News Video.
Following sideshow at marina, early Sunday morning crash injured two people, one woman critically
Held on $191,000 bail; four previous arrests, three by Antioch PD
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
A 21-year-old Antioch man has been charged with a four-count complaint for reckless driving and a hit and run that injured two in the early morning hours of August 6th following a sideshow in Antioch. (See related article)
Chase Allen Cancilla (born 4/17/02) faces two felony counts of reckless driving on a highway that caused injuries and enhancements of inflicting great bodily harm to others. Additionally, Cancilla faces a felony hit and run charge that resulted in the serious injury of another, and a misdemeanor for operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license.
A woman was critically injured by the hit and run suspect in Antioch Sunday morning, Aug. 6, 2023. Source: KTVU FOX2 video screenshot.
Antioch Police received reports of a sideshow taking place at the Marina Plaza around 2:50 am on August 6th. Authorities say a vehicle that Cancilla was driving left the Marina Plaza at a high rate of speed on L Street — and shortly thereafter crashed into another vehicle at West 9th and G Streets. The collision injured two people, one of whom was seriously injured. Cancilla fled on foot after the crash, but an officer was able to apprehend him. (See KTVU FOX2 news report)
He was arrested and booked into the West County Detention Facility and was arraigned today in court with a bail amount set at $191,000.
Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “Sideshows present many risks to community safety, endangering those who are involved and the public at large. The District Attorney’s Office will continue to be vigilant in prosecuting offenses stemming from sideshows under California law.”
According to localcrimenews.com, the 6’2”, 250 lb. Cancilla has been arrested four times previously dating back to 2021, three times by Antioch PD, once by Alameda County Sheriff’s Office including for DUI, driving without a license and failure to appear. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office as of Wednesday, August 9, he was still in custody.
Case No. 04-23-01348 | The People of the State of California v. Cancilla, Chase Allen
