Mark Anthony Thomas in his March 2019 Facebook page profile photo.

Identified as Mark Anthony Thomas. Second suspect still at large.

By Pittsburg Police Department

On December 14, 2019, the Pittsburg Police Department was notified of a person who was shot inside of a residence in the 200 block of Havenwood Circle in Pittsburg. At the time of the incident, the victim, along with his wife and children, were present when two armed and masked gunmen entered the residence and shot the victim following a brief struggle. Upon arrival, officers located a 34-year-old male resident (later identified by his fiancé as Rafael Lopez) suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso.

From initial information, officers learned that two masked gunmen entered the residence and engaged in an altercation with the man and other people inside the residence. Officers provided aid to the man until medical personnel arrived. The man later died from his injuries. (See related article).

Detectives began working the case immediately and painstakingly poured over many leads and pieces of evidence until they were able to identify one of the shooters involved in the homicide. That shooter has been identified a 35-year-old Mark Anthony Thomas from Antioch.

According to his Facebook page, Thomas is a rapper whose stage name is M80.

On February 4, 2020, Thomas was located at a residence in the 5000 block of Ranch Hallow Way in Antioch and arrested by our agency. He is currently in custody in Martinez on murder charges.

This is an ongoing investigation and if anyone has any information please contact Detective Ruff at 925-252-4089.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Officer Chandler with Chief Brooks.

By Antioch Police Department

On Monday, Feb. 3, we welcomed Officer Joseph Chandler.

Joseph was born in San Leandro and raised in the East Bay. He graduated from Newark Memorial High School and pursued a career in sports broadcasting. After 13 years of working behind the scenes, Joe went after his dream of becoming a Law Enforcement Officer and was hired by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. During his time at the Sheriff’s Office, he was assigned to the Court Security Division, Transit Patrol, Parks Patrol and Headquarters Patrol.

Now that he doesn’t have a 104-mile daily commute, Joe is looking forward to spending more time with his family, watching their sporting events, and start to check off the “honey do list” his wife has for him.

Photos by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

Tongue out Tuesday! (Feb. 4, 2020) K9 Purcy showing off his recent “catch” after he recently completed his Narcotics Detection Course. K9 Purcy has been assisting Officers with numerous narcotics sniffs which recently resulted in the arrest of two subjects for narcotics sales and firearm possession. K9 Purcy is committed to helping officers take a bite out of crime!

Suspects George Siever and Brian Grey were arrested and today, Feb. 4, 2020. Photos by APD.

Antioch Police expect to make more arrests in this case in the near future

George Siever arrested.

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations Bureau)

On March 27th, 2005, at around 11:37 PM, 17-year-old Edgar Martinez was sleeping in bed in the 300 block of West 20th Street when two subjects fired multiple rounds into Martinez’s apartment. Martinez was struck in the chest and died on scene from his injuries. The murder was the result of an argument in the 300 block of West 20th Street between Candice Carter (now 39 years old) 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 Carter was taken into custody for this murder. (See related article).

Brian Gray arrested.

On February 3, 2020 members of the Antioch Police Department brought the cold case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office to be reviewed. The case was filed, and arrest warrants were issued for the two remaining suspects in this murder. On February 3rd and 4th, two additional arrests were made for the 2005 shooting homicide of Martinez. George Siever (35 years old) was taken into custody followed by today’s arrest of Brian Gray, also 35 years old. Both arrests took place in the City of Antioch without incident.

The Antioch Police Department routinely reviews cold cases in an effort to find justice for the victims of senseless and violent crimes. It is by no mistake that complex cases such as these come to a successful resolution because of an incredible amount of teamwork, professional collaboration, and community outreach. The Antioch Police Department wishes to recognize the important involvement and participation of the community, and the support from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office.

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

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.