Involved in a physical altercation with male victim weeks before incident considered an attempted homicide

By Sergeant B. Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

As previously reported, on September 22nd officers responded to a shooting at 20 E. 18th Street, to the rear of Rite Aid. When officers arrived, they located two gunshot wound victims in the parking lot. Officers rendered first aid until ConFire paramedics arrived. The female victim was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The male victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Both victims are expected to survive.

The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation.

During the investigation it was determined the male victim and suspect had been involved in a physical altercation weeks before the shooting. On September 26th the Violent Crimes Unit took the suspect into custody. The suspect, identified as Bobby Joe Grigsby, Jr. (age 44), was transported to county jail and is pending charges.

Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Ibañez at (925) 779-6890 or by email ribanez@antiochca.gov.

According to localcrimenews.com, Grigsby is Black, lives in Antioch and was previously arrested on Aug. 2, 2017, by the Concord Police for a warrants or holds only.

According to Investigations Lieutenant Desmond Bittner, the Sunday morning shooting is not connected to the rash of 13 other shootings in Antioch this month.

Both Ibañez and Interim Chief Brian Addington were asked for details about the suspect and if that person was one of two described by dispatch seen leaving the scene of the shooting. But they did not respond prior to publication time. Please check back later for updates.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Says he’ll show up at suspects’ sentencing hearings, but no arrests have yet been made

“We suspect there are some gang undertones. Our detectives are still trying to flush that out to see how much of that is accurate.” – Antioch Police Captain Joe Vigil

“There’s a difference between turf wars and gang wars and…I think it’s turf.” – District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker

“We haven’t had any more shootings,” since additional patrols began in the Sycamore are last Friday – Interim Police Chief Brian Addington.

“We don’t need to put a Band-Aid on the issue. We need to fix it…We need to find solutions together. Not individually…” – District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock

By Allen D. Payton

Without any arrests yet of suspects in the 14 shootings that have plagued the Antioch community this month, Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe held a press conference on Wednesday repeating much of what he said in a recorded announcement, Sunday on his official Instagram account, that they’re being investigated as gang-related. That’s in spite of Antioch Police leaders saying on Monday they don’t know for sure the shootings are gang-related, they might be and four of the shootings are unrelated to the first shooting on Sept. 3rd that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Elijah Scales two days later while in the hospital.

However, unlike Sunday’s announcement in which the mayor can be seen standing alone behind a podium inside the Council Chambers, Antioch Police Captain Joe Vigil joined him on Wednesday to answer questions from the media. But he did not provide any prepared remarks.

During the press conference, Hernandez-Thorpe said, “I’m angry. Residents are angry and residents are demanding answers. Regardless of where you live in this city, if you live in the hills or you live in Sycamore, everybody in this community deserves peace and tranquility.”

However, again refuting the mayor’s claim that the shootings are being investigated as gang-related, Vigil would only say, “We suspect there are some gang undertones. Our detectives are still trying to flush that out to see how much of that is accurate.”

Hernandez-Thorpe repeated some of what he said on Sunday, that he wants more patrols in the Sycamore corridor, which Interim Police Chief Brian Addington said on Monday had already begun last Friday. The mayor also said he wanted support from partner agencies in the region and will push for more funding, specifically $100,000 in police overtime to cover the costs for help from one of those agencies that he didn’t name, and offered one new proposal, a permit parking program in the Sycamore area to reduce drug activity there.

About the outside assistance Hernandez-Thorpe said, “One agency has taken us up on that offer. We’re excited. I’m not prepared to announce what agency it is. But we will be working to finalize those details.”

Earlier on Wednesday Addington said he would not attend the press conference as he would be at the Contra Costa County Chiefs meeting at the same time. Vigil reiterated that saying, “The chief is at the county chiefs meeting, right now echoing that sentiment to the other county chiefs for assistance to address this regional problem.”

Chief Says Response, Including Additional Patrols Appears to Be Working

Addington also earlier shared some good news on the matter saying that the response including the additional patrols appears to be working and, “we haven’t had any more shootings.” Vigil pegged the timeframe for the calm at 72 hours.

The tough-talking mayor, who is running for re-election in November, also said, “Let me speak very clear to the people who have been wreaking havoc on our community. We are going to find you. We are going to hold you accountable, and you will pay the price for what you have done. And the day you find yourself in court I will be right there at your sentencing hearing to ensure they lock you up and put you away for a long time.”

However, there was no talk this time nor during his Sunday announcement attributing the cause of the shootings to the lack of jobs, as Hernandez-Thorpe stated in a KTVU FOX2 news interview on Sept. 17th.

Although the investigations have not yet resulted in any arrests Vigil said, “There is a lot of information out there that they’re compiling, putting together, trying to get cases ready to present to the D.A. to move forward with arrests and accountability.”

In an interview by ABC7 News following the press conference, District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker who represents the Sycamore area also refuted the mayor’s claim that the shootings are gang-related. She said, “There’s a difference between turf wars and gang wars and what I think we’re dealing with, here in the city of Antioch, right now is not, is not, I think it’s turf” reiterating what Chief Addington stated on Monday.

“You have this level of conflict because there are people who are trying to maintain control of their territory,” she continued. “And I think it’s unfortunate that the City of Antioch didn’t address these issues years ago.”

In a separate interview by KTVU FOX2 District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock said, “We need to fix the problem. We don’t need to put a Band-Aid on the issue. We need to fix it and find a way to keep that area safe. We need to find solutions together. Not individually, together and we need to work with the community in that area.”

On Monday, and Investigations Lieutenant Desmond Bittner answered questions of two media sources, including the Herald in which he shared more details about the shootings and that four of the five most recent shootings were unrelated to the others in the Sycamore corridor. (See related article and Facebook Live video)

After employee was rammed with shopping cart

By Antioch Police Department

Antioch Officers were dispatched to Target on Lone Tree Way for a reported theft. When a Target employee tried to intervene, one of the suspects rammed the employee with a shopping cart and threatened them, turning this simple theft into a robbery. Three suspects—one male and two females—fled the scene in a vehicle with the stolen merchandise.

Thanks to quick coordination with the Brentwood Police Department, the suspect vehicle was located at a Safeway in Brentwood, where another robbery had just occurred. Working with the victims in this case, three of the four suspects were positively identified, and the stolen property was returned to Target.

The suspects were booked at Martinez Detention Facility for robbery.

Great work by all involved in bringing these individuals to justice! #CommunitySafety #Teamwork

Before new ordinance banning organizers, advertisers and spectators, goes into effect at end of August

By Antioch Police Department

Reckless Driving Arrest and 30-Day Impound

On Wednesday night, July 31, 2024, Officers Mayorga and Tanguma took decisive action against dangerous sideshow activity in our community. They observed a vehicle doing donuts and driving on the wrong side of the road at East 18th Street and Evergreen Drive, putting everyone at risk. The driver was promptly stopped on Sunset Drive near Hillcrest Avenue, arrested for reckless driving, and the vehicle has been impounded for 30 days.

We are committed to keeping our streets safe and free from illegal activities that endanger lives. Reckless driving is not only illegal but can have serious consequences.

Thank you to Officers Tanguma and Mayorga for their swift response and dedication to public safety! Together, we can make Antioch safer for all!

The new ordinance adopted by the Antioch City Council last month which also bans organizers, advertisers and spectators, will go into effect at the end of August giving police another tool to prevent them in Antioch. (See related articles here and here)

#AntiochPD #TrafficSafety #CommunityFirst #SaferStreets

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch Police arrested a suspected double car thief Wednesday afternoon while the man first on foot, then during a slow chase near Lake Alhambra.

According to Lt. Matt Koch, “Officers were following up with an occupied stolen vehicle in the 400 block of Grangnelli Avenue. Officers went to make contact with the 36-year-old driver, he bailed, fled on foot and ran over to North Lake Drive where he got into another pickup truck.

“As officers were contacting him in the truck he tried to flee from officers, again. Ultimately a marked police car tried to disable the pickup truck and the driver took the officers on a slow-speed chase,” Koch continued. “The suspect was ultimately apprehended on Plymouth Lane, taken into custody and later booked into county jail.”

See video on the Antioch Herald Facebook page.

Speed was contributing factor

By Sergeant Rob Green #3639, Antioch Police Traffic Unit

On July 27, 2024, at approximately 7:43 PM, Antioch Police Officers responded to a report of a vehicle collision between a motorcycle and a SUV in front of Bev Box at 907 W. 10th Street. Officers found the 32-year-old male (Brentwood resident) motorcyclist on the ground and unresponsive. Officers performed lifesaving aid and the motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Traffic Accident Investigators took over the investigation and determined from witness statements and from video collected at the scene that speed was a contributing factor to the crash. This case is in the preliminary stages and the names of the parties involved are not being released at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441 or Traffic Collision Investigator Sergeant Green at 925-779-6864, email rgreen@antiochca.gov. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Three to sergeant, one to corporal; sergeant, CSO honored with CHP 10851 award

Brings force to 76 sworn officers

By Allen D. Payton

During a ceremony on Monday, July 8, 2024, Antioch Interim Police Chief Brian Addington swore in one new officer and promoted four others within the department. He offered background on each and also administered the Oath of Honor to the five.

In addition, Sgt. Rob Green and CSO Rudy Nieves received the CHP 10851 award for their recovery of a number of stolen vehicles

Sgt. Bill Whitaker 

Bill Whitaker has been a police officer for over 22 years. He started his career at the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, working as a police officer and a firefighter. Since he joined APD Sgt. Whitaker has held specialty positions as a CSI, FTO, K9 handler, and detective. 

He has also held collateral assignments as a gang investigator, drone operator, recruiting team, and background investigator. 

Sgt. Whitaker enjoys teaching and mentoring the next generation of police officers. He is an EVOC Instructor, use-of-force instructor, and K9 evaluator.  

Off duty, he enjoys relaxing with family and friends, watching his son play football, and watching documentaries. 

Sgt. Whitaker is honored to move from Corporal to Sergeant and is excited about the new challenge of further serving the community. 

Fun Fact: If Bill could live on a farm and raise hurds of dogs for a job he would retire. 

Sgt. Kris Palma

Kris was raised in Martinez. He graduated from Alhambra High School and pursued his dream of becoming a police officer.  Sgt. Palma started as a civilian with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office before attending the Law Enforcement Training Center in Pittsburg.  His passion for policing came from his father, who served 39 years with the San Francisco Police Department. Sgt. Palma also has a brother who serves as a police Lieutenant in the neighboring community of Pittsburg.

He started his career with the Richmond Police Department, where he spent 15 years as a police officer. While with Richmond PD, Sgt. Palma excelled in several assignments, including Field Training Officer, SWAT team member, Firearms and Tactics Instructor, K-9 handler, and Robbery Unit detective. He engaged with the community by teaching several blocks of instruction for the department’s Citizens’ Academy, speaking to at-risk youth, and participating in numerous K-9 demonstrations.  

In 2016, Sgt. Palma was voted Officer of the Year by his peers for outstanding leadership and community service. During the same year, he received a Life Saving Metal for rendering lifesaving aid to a kindergarten teacher who was the unintended victim of a nearby shooting.  

Sgt. Palma joined the Antioch Police Department in 2021. Due to his experience, he was selected as a FTO, Firearms instructor, SWAT team member, and Detective in the Special Investigations Unit.  Sgt. Palma was chosen to be deputized as a United States Marshal and served with the USMS Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force. Most recently, he took on the role of the acting sergeant of the Investigations Bureau, where he was afforded the opportunity to work with some of the best and brightest detectives. 

Sgt. Palma is married to his amazing wife Lurdes, who when not at home with their three boys, spends her time in the emergency room helping those in need as a registered nurse.

Fun Fact: Kris loves spending time with his family, camping trips, and coaching his boys in baseball and football.

Sgt Randall Gragg

Sgt. Gragg grew up in Antioch. He graduated from Contra Costa County’s 175th Law Enforcement Academy and was sworn in with Antioch PD in November 2014. His experience includes over five years of patrol. While assigned to patrol, he was a member of the Vehicle Theft Suppression and Enforcement Team (VSET), APD’s Honor Guard, and currently is a SWAT team member and SWAT Sniper. 

Sgt. Gragg has been assigned to Investigations for just over four years. He has worked a variety of assignments within Investigations, but most recently, he has been assigned as a homicide and violent crimes detective. He has recently participated in the APD Mentorship Program and become a WRAP instructor.

Before Law Enforcement, Sgt. Gragg served in the USMC reserves for six years as an infantry Marine from 2009-2015.

He has three AAs from Los Medanos College in Social Science, Art and Humanities, Math, and Behavioral Science.

Sgt Gragg is married with three kids, and a fourth is almost due. In his free time, he enjoys working out and spending time with his family.

Fun Fact:  Randall is currently learning to play the guitar.

Corporal Dan Fachner

Dan grew up in the Bay Area and enlisted in the Air Force in 1990 after graduating high school. He served on active duty for 11 years as a jet engine mechanic on KC-135 air refuelers. In 2001, Corporal Fachner was honorably discharged from active duty in the Air Force and hired by the San Jose Police Department as a Police Officer. He attended and graduated from the San Jose Police Academy at Evergreen Community College.

9/11 occurred during his Police academy, and Corporal Fachner decided to serve his country again and joined the Air Force Reserves. After graduating from the Police Academy, he was activated and returned to active-duty service. Corporal Fachner proudly served during Operation Enduring Freedom, where he worked on KC10 aircraft refuelers, responsible for worldwide support.

While at the San Jose Police Department, Corporal Fachner worked in patrol field services for 12 years. He was a Rifle Team member and an instructor for the field training program. Dan had a collateral assignment as a gang suppression officer, where he helped reduce gang crimes in the City of San Jose.

In 2013 Corporal Fachner retired from the Air Force after serving for 23 years. He joined the Antioch Police Department in 2013 as a Police Officer and was assigned to patrol field services. While in patrol field services, Dan was a K9 handler, Rifle Team member, Field Training Officer, and Drone Operator. He had a collateral assignment and was assigned to the Contra Costa County Vehicle Suppression Enforcement Team, which focused on reducing vehicle thefts.

Corporal Fachner enjoys traveling with his wife, Crissy, when he is not at work. He is also an avid golfer and bass fisherman.

Fun Fact: Dan recently qualified for a bass fishing Tournament of Champions series, where he could win a new bass boat.

New Officer Pedro Diaz

Pedro was raised in Linden, CA, and then moved to Stockton, CA, where he currently lives. Officer Diaz graduated from the San Joaquin Delta Post Academy last October. He is dedicated and hopes to make an impact in the City of Antioch.

Fun Fact: Officer Diaz likes to play soccer.

With the addition of Diaz, that brings the total to 76 sworn officers on the Antioch Police force out of 115 authorized in the budget.

In the 3rd photo, it’s the promotions and the order is Palma, Fachner, Gragg, and Whitaker. 

Bay Bridge road-rage shooting suspect from San Pablo, former Antioch resident, identified, arrested by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies

6’7″ felon charged with attempted murder, multiple gun crimes

By Jaime Coffee, Director of Communications, CHP Office of Media Relations

A freeway shooting suspect is in custody and a firearm has been recovered after a road rage incident on the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) early Monday morning, July 1, 2024. The suspect was identified through one of the newly installed high-tech “Flock” cameras, which provide law enforcement with real-time information and alerts to identify and locate vehicles associated with criminal activity. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the purchase of the cameras as part of the state’s ongoing public safety investments and work in the East Bay to combat criminal activity and freeway violence.

“Through new state-of-the-art technology and the deployment of officers, California is doubling down in our efforts to keep our communities safe. I thank the California Highway Patrol and allied agencies for their persistent work to secure accountability in this case and help ensure that Californians are safe and secure,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

“The CHP is excited to have this new technology located on freeways in the Bay Area,” said Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Our investigators will utilize this technology to identify and apprehend those who engage in criminal activity and put California’s motorists at risk.”

On Monday, July 1, 2024, at approximately 6:40 a.m., officers assigned to the CHP’s San Francisco Area office were dispatched to a call of a freeway shooting on westbound Interstate-80, just west of the Treasure Island on-ramp. Officers were advised, the victim in the incident was not struck by the bullet; however, he received lacerations from flying glass inside the vehicle. The victim was able to safely exit the freeway, into the city of San Francisco, where she was met by officers and paramedics.

Detectives from the CHP’s Golden Gate Division Special Investigations Unit (SIU) responded to the scene and spoke with the victim, who mentioned the shooting took place following a merging conflict on the Treasure Island on ramp. A description of the suspect vehicle was obtained, allowing detectives to begin a review of Flock camera data. Detectives quickly identified the suspect vehicle and obtained a license plate number, which allowed them to issue a “Be on the lookout” (BOLO) broadcast to Bay Area law enforcement agencies. 

At approximately 10:20 a.m., Contra Costa County Sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle traveling on 7th Street near Pennsylvania Avenue in Richmond and conducted an enforcement stop. The driver, 42-year-old Adrian Martinez Emerson of San Pablo, Calif., was detained and turned over to SIU detectives for questioning. A search of Emerson’s 2016 Honda Accord resulted in the recovery of a pistol believed to have been used in the shooting.

Emerson was subsequently booked into San Francisco County Jail on felony charges of attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and discharging a firearm from a vehicle.

According to localcrimenews.com, the six-foot, seven-inch, 170-pound Emerson is Black and was previously arrested by Richmond Police in 2014 on felony parole violation while he was an Antioch resident. No additional information could be located from an online search about Emerson’s previous conviction.

According to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, he is being held on no bail and is also include discharge of a firearm at an inhabited enclosure or vehicle, possession of firearm with prior conviction and by a felon, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner, possession of ammunition, having a concealed firearm in a vehicle and carrying a loaded firearm. His court date has not yet been set.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.