Posts about the passing of Deer Valley High School student Jonathan “John John” Parker on Facebook by Theresa Cuevas and Instagram by alleexx_dj925.

Identified by friends and relatives on social media as Jonathan “John John” Parker

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: While I understand the concerns of some about the posting of the video, here and on the Antioch Herald Facebook page, and our hearts go out to the family and friends of Jonathan Parker, while disturbing, it does not show him being shot, but only includes the sounds of the gunshots. Hopefully by sharing the video it will allow those who choose to watch and listen to help identify anyone who was involved and lead to the arrest of the shooter or shooters by the Antioch Police, with whom the video has also been shared. Allen Payton, Publisher.

By Jesus Cano

Jonathan Parker DVHS shooting victim posted on Instagram by chris27ul.

The 16-year-old male student shot Friday night at Deer Valley High School has passed away from his injuries, the Antioch Unified School District confirmed. He was identified by relatives and friends on social media as Jonathan “John John” Parker. (See related article).

A post on the AUSD Facebook page Sunday afternoon reads as follows:

“Dear AUSD families and the larger Antioch community,

On Friday night, following a peaceful athletic event, a DVHS student was shot in the parking lot. The student has since passed away from his injuries. Our hearts and sympathies are with the families during this time of unimaginable pain.

We, along with the rest of AUSD, denounce this senseless violence and call on the community to come together to address such vicious brutality. Our children must be taught that solving disagreements with violence is not the answer and that there are other ways to resolve our differences that do not result in the unjust and unnecessary killing of our youth. Finally, we ask that everyone in this community and nearby communities, model the love and peace they hope to create.

Grief counselors will be on site tomorrow.

With heavy hearts,

Stephanie Anello, Superintendent

Bukky Oyebade, Principal Deer Valley High School”

At 8:44 p.m. Friday night, Jan. 31, 2020 Antioch police were dispatched to a report of shots fired at the school on Lone Tree Way.

A fight broke out between multiple juveniles after a basketball game between Deer Valley High and Antioch High. The victim was shot in the hip three times during the melee.

When police arrived, they found the victim, a Deer Valley student, and identified on social media by suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local medical facility where succumbed to his injuries.

In an exclusive video sent to the Herald from a student who has chosen to remain anonymous, a brawl involving over a dozen students can be seen. Off camera, the firing of five gunshots can be heard. (Warning video contains graphic scenes of violence and disturbing sounds of gunshots) – Video of fight & sounds of gunshots at DVHS 01-31-20

No arrests have been announced yet by the Antioch Police Department, and their investigation into who the shooter or shooters were continues. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Smith at 925-779-6876, or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen Payton

According to Antioch Police Sgt. Gary Lowther in response to a call to the department’s media line about a reported shooting Friday night, “We did have a shooting take place in the 4700 block of Lone Tree Way. We can’t confirm whether either on or nearby the Deer Valley High School campus.”

“It happened about 8:44 p.m. and it’s still under investigation,” he continued. “It is my understanding that there was a basketball game going on at Deer Valley High School.”

“A press release will be sent out either later tonight or in the morning,” Lowther added.

12:42 AM UPDATE: According to Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations Bureau) in an early Saturday morning news release, “On January 31, 2020 at about 8:44 PM, Antioch Police Department patrol officers were dispatched to the north parking lot of Deer Valley High School for shots being fired in the parking lot. A16-year-old male was located in the parking lot suffering from three gunshot wounds. The male was transported by ground to a local hospital and is currently in critical condition. It was determined the victim is a current student at Deer Valley High School.

At the time of the shooting there was a basketball game between Deer Valley and Antioch High Schools just letting out from the Deer Valley High School gym. A large group of juveniles started fighting in the parking lot when the shots were fired.

The Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau responded and took over this investigation. This investigation is in its infancy and a suspect has not been identified.”

No further information will be released regarding this case at this time. Any further updates will come from the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Smith at 925-779-6876, or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Candice Carter. Photo by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

On March 27, 2005, at around 11:37 PM, 17-year-old Edgar Martinez was in bed sleeping in the 300 block of W. 20th Street, when two subjects fired multiple rounds into Martinez’s apartment. Martinez was struck in the chest and died at the scene from his injuries. The murder was the result of an argument in the 300 block of W 20th Street between 39-year-old Candice Carter and a group of men she believed to be rival gang members. After the argument, Carter and two other men returned to area and fired the fatal shots into Martinez’s apartment. It was determined that Martinez played no part in the initial argument with Carter.

On January 30, 2020, at about 4:00 PM, the Antioch Police Department and Pittsburg Police Department served a high-risk arrest warrant in the City of Pittsburg and took Carter into custody for this murder.

The Antioch Police Department credits advancements in technology and help from the community in solving this 15-year old murder. We expect to make more arrests related to this case in the near future.

A fourth suspect remains at large, victim of gun brandishing uncooperative

By Allen Payton

Three men were arrested for burglary following a high-speed chase with police in southeast Antioch, Tuesday afternoon. A fourth suspect remains at large as of Wednesday morning.

According to Antioch Police Corporal Brian Rose, “the incident started around 3:00 p.m. in the newer part of Antioch, on Bent Tree Way. There were three males arrested, two are 22 years old and one is 20 years old.”

“Earlier in the day on Wednesday, we received multiple calls of prowlers, in the newer parts of the city, the first was two black males in hoodies went into the back yard. No vehicle was seen,” Rose said, reading from the incident report.

“In the second a masked person came into a backyard where a female victim was and fled upon finding the resident at the house. There was a language barrier with that resident and the only information that she was able to provide was that the person fled in a white, four-door vehicle.

While the second case was being investigated, we received a call of someone brandishing a weapon on Bent Tree Way, with four black males in a white Durango pointing a gun at someone before fleeing. We obtained the license plate on the white Durango and that vehicle was wanted for a felony vehicle burglary that occurred in Santa Clara County. That vehicle was apparently used as a getaway vehicle in an auto burglary.

As officers were contacting the victim, they located the vehicle on Country Hills Drive. A pursuit ensued and the vehicle fled at speeds of 70 to 80 MPH, northbound on Hillcrest Avenue. Officers lost sight of the vehicle, briefly in the area of Hillcrest and Highway 4. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle was found in the area of Blue Bell Circle and Larkspur Drive.

Three people were located and detained. A lengthy search was conducted for a fourth, outstanding suspect but that person was not located. Discarded clothing was located along the flight path of these three individuals. No gun was ever found. The person who was the victim of the weapon being brandished at them was uncooperative, so we weren’t able to corroborate that any further.”

An Antioch resident who lives off Hillcrest Avenue in that area of the city reported a helicopter flying overhead during the same time. But whether or not a helicopter was used in the search for the suspects could not be confirmed before publication of this report. That information will be provided, later.

Anyone with information regarding this case can call Antioch Police at (925) 779-6900. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Thank you to the Antioch resident who informed the Herald of this incident, giving us the opportunity to gather the details and provide them to our readers.

Photo by Pittsburg PD.

By Pittsburg Police Department

On Friday, Jan. 24, 2019, Pittsburg Police K9 Zed and Officer Montalvo responded to assist the Antioch Police Department with stopping an occupied stolen vehicle. When they arrived, the female driver attempted to get away by ramming two Antioch patrol vehicles. Officers managed to pin the vehicle and open the driver door.

Due to the female refusing to comply, K9 Zed was deployed and apprehended the suspect, keeping officers safe from any injury.

All Pittsburg and Antioch Police officers were safe and not injured during this incident.

Screenshot of CCC Sheriff’s STARR 1 helicopter chase of suspect on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020.

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

On Friday, January 24, 2020, at about 11 PM, Deputy Sheriffs from the specialized patrol unit J-Team conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a driver in Antioch. As Deputies approached the car, the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed leading the Deputies on a pursuit.

The suspect fled through Antioch, Pittsburg and on Highway 4. The Deputies terminated the pursuit once Sheriff’s Office STARR 1 helicopter was overhead. STARR 1 tracked the suspect to Rock Island drive in Antioch, where he stopped and exited the vehicle.

STARR 1 directed ground units to that location. Deputies arrested the driver. He is identified as 29-year-old Denzal Ashford-Greene of Antioch. He had multiple felony warrants for vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, burglary and probation violation.

Ashford-Green was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges that include felony evading, unlawful possession of tear gas, probation violation and the outstanding warrants. He is being held without bail.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

STARR 1 video of this pursuit is posted on YouTube, here.

Please join the East Family Justice Center for a Red Sand Project and panel discussion on Human Trafficking.

January 24, 2020

12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

3501 Lone Tree Way, STE 4, Antioch

The Family Justice Center in collaboration with Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson, Contra Costa District Attorney Office, Contra Costa Human Trafficking Coalition, Love Never Fails, Community Violence Solutions, and Employment and Human Services Department will host a human trafficking event including a Red Sand Project and panel discussion.

Please contact Brenda Solorio at Brenda@cocofamilyjustice.org

The event is free and registration is on EventBrite.

Photo by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

In response to recent thefts occurring at area J.C. Penney’s, our officers have upped their patrols of our Slatten Ranch store. Today, we arrested two subjects who came in the business and “forgot” to pay for 42 pairs of jeans valued at $70 each.

We appreciate the store’s cooperation as well as witnesses who call in information after the thefts.

Editor’s Note: A call has been made to the APD Media Line to obtain more details about this case. Please check back later for updates to this report.