Antioch Police detectives and officers investigate the scene where a man is believed to have died from self-inflicted wounds from the explosion of a home-made bomb at the south end of F Street next to Live Oak High School on Monday morning, Jan. 31, 2021. Photos by Allen D. Payton

Witness who heard explosion, felt blast and saw smoke says another man was standing next to victim

Considered a suspicious death by APD, not homicide

Woman killed in Saturday night double homicide not pregnant

One of the buildings of Live Oak High School can be seen at the south end of F Street.

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold, an unknown Caucasian man appearing to be in his mid-50’s died from apparent self-inflicted wounds to his upper body caused by an improvised explosive device, Monday morning. The incident occurred at the south end of F Street near W. 17th Street near Live Oak High School and just outside the fence line of Antioch Middle School.

The APD Dispatch first received a call about 7:30 AM after someone discovered the body. Officers arrived on the scene, but no identification was found on the body.

Live Oak High School at the south end of F Street and the Antioch Library on W. 18th Street can be seen in the background.

It was first believed to be the city’s fourth or fifth homicide of the month and year, and early reports claimed the man died from gunshot wounds due to the placement of multiple, yellow, plastic evidence markers. But according to Saffold, those “indicate items of importance such as matter”, meaning pieces of the body of the deceased, and no shell casings were located at the scene.

The man’s body showed he had “suffered severe trauma to his face and right hand” and was “possibly homeless,” Saffold stated. “There were wires near the body. The way the body was positioned he was on top of the wires.”

As a result, the Walnut Creek Police Bomb Squad was called out.

Saffold held two press conferences about the incident on Monday. View them on the Antioch Herald Facebook page, here and here. (Apologies for the poor sound quality. Please be sure to turn up your speakers.)

An Antioch Police Detective at the scene where several yellow evidence markers are on the street near the location of the covered body. (Redacted)

Live Oak Classes Cancelled, Students Shelter in Place at Nearby Schools

View of the front of Fremont Elementary School on F Street near the scene of the incident.

Classes were cancelled at Live Oak and the teachers were sent home about 9:15 AM. as APD expanded the crime scene. Asked why, one officer said “We have reasons to believe there are safety reasons. They’re calling the bomb squad.” Up until that point APD was not sure the cause of the man’s death.

At 9:30 AM, an announcement could be heard from the neighboring Antioch Middle School loudspeaker for the students to shelter in place and their parents were being called.

Students at the adjacent Fremont Elementary Schools were also required to shelter in place. In addition, the “Out of an abundance of caution” Saffold said, APD asked all people within the area of “F Street between West 11th to West 17th Streets” to shelter in place, as police from several agencies, including Homeland Security, searched for other possible explosive devices. The shelter in place was lifted at 2:27 PM.

Live Oak Principal Tim Cooper said the students will return to school, tomorrow.

View of scene from W. 18th Street. Covered body of deceased redacted.

Witnesses Heard Explosion, Saw Smoke, One Felt Blast Saw Second Man at Scene

Sean Ledesma, who lives on W. 19th Street near the Antioch Library on W. 18th Street, said he was outside at the time having a smoke before getting ready to go to work, and heard an explosion at 5:45 AM.

“I jumped and immediately looked over in the direction of the schools and saw smoke rising up and the smoke reached as high as a nearby tree,” he said.  “It shook the ground. It was so close I felt the blast. It was immediate.”

“I saw a second man, there. He looked like he was in shock,” Ledesma continued. “It didn’t look like he was in a hurry to leave, and I was wondering why, if a bomb just went off.”

“I’ve heard explosions in Antioch, before. This one was different,” he stated. “I thought someone was just messing around with M-80’s. But what threw me off was how high the smoke went up and just stayed there.”

“I wondered, what was he doing between schools? Did he have bigger plans? Did the bomb go off accidentally?” Ledesma shared. “I took it that the other guy standing there didn’t expect as large of an explosion.”

Asked if he had spoken to police about what he had witnessed, Ledesma responded, “I haven’t spoken to police, yet.”

An APD Community Service Officer was nearby and took Ledesma’s name and information.

Another Antioch resident, named Mike, who said he was collecting recyclables on F Street near the corner of W. 17th Street at the time of the man’s death, also heard the explosion. He left the area before any additional information could be shared while Ledesma was being interviewed by the Herald.

Antioch Police expanded the boundaries of the crime scene for safety reasons due to the possible presence of a bomb.

Woman Killed Saturday Night Not Pregnant

It was also later shared by Saffold, that the 30-year-old female victim in the double homicide, Saturday night, was not pregnant, as was both rumored, as well as believed by District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker who shared that view with the Herald on Sunday night.

“I knew these humans. I worked with the mother and the son she was looking forward to (a) healthy baby,” the councilwoman wrote.

Asked if the woman had other children, Torres-Walker responded, “No. But she was looking forward to this baby.”

“This didn’t have to happen, but I guess politics matters more than people,” the councilwoman also wrote, referring to Mayor Lamar Thorpe not supporting or placing her proposal on a council agenda of hiring four more officers for the Sycamore area of Antioch, where the double homicide occurred. (See related articles here and here)

Saffold reiterated that the male suspect and woman who was killed were in a relationship. He added that they from Georgia where the suspect had outstanding warrants for domestic violence against her. (See related article)

The city’s second and third murders of the year; police seek the boy’s father as suspect

By Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold, Antioch Police Department

On Saturday, January 29, 2022, at approximately 8:18 PM, Antioch Police Department Dispatch received a request for a welfare check on the 2100 block of Lemontree Way. A concerned citizen had not seen or heard from their neighbor in several days and was worried about them.

At approximately 8:21 PM, Antioch Officers arrived in the area and looked through a window to the apartment, when there was no answer at the front door. Upon looking through the window, Officers could see a Black 15-year-old juvenile unresponsive on the floor.

Due to the concern for life, Officers forced entry into the apartment and found the juvenile was deceased. Worried for any other occupants inside the apartment, Officers searched for other people and located a 30-year-old Black female deceased in an upstairs room. Both victims suffered from obvious trauma and this incident was determined to be a homicide.

Antioch Investigators and Crime Scene Investigations Unit responded to the scene and were able to develop suspect information, which was broadcast to other police agencies throughout the Bay Area. An alert Redwood City officer located the suspect at a train station in Redwood City and took him into custody.

It was determined through this investigation that the 34-year-old Black male suspect was in a relationship with the 30-year-old female and the 15-year-old male was the suspect’s biological son.

No other information is being released at this time including the names of the victims or suspect.

Heartbreaking incidents like this can have a profound effect on our community. The Antioch Police Department would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families of this unspeakable tragedy.

Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Whitaker at (925) 779-6890 or by emailing wwhitaker@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.

Alexis Gabe – Missing fliers have been posted throughout East County. Source: Oakley PD

Fliers posted throughout community

By Oakley Police Department

The Oakley Police Department received a call of a missing person, under suspicious circumstances, on January 27, 2022. The missing person is identified as Alexis Gabe, 24, of Oakley. She was last seen on Benttree Way in Antioch.

Gabe is described as an Asian female, 5’7”, 170 pounds and last known to be wearing a white tank top, silver/black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and green/white shoes.

Oakley Police patrol personnel and detectives began immediate efforts to locate Gabe. The Oakley Police Department has been in contact with Gabe’s family and have spoken to key people who were last known to be with her. The efforts to locate Gabe are continuing as detectives analyze evidence and patrol personnel continue to field tips and conduct physical searches for Gabe.

Fliers of Gabe have been posted throughout East County over the past two days.

Please report any credible sightings of Gabe, or any information that will lead to her discovery by calling the Oakley Police Department at 925-625-8060.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Guns confiscated by Antioch Police during arrests Thursday night, Jan. 27, 2022. Photos: APD

One suspect named Sir Stephen Forbes demonstrates lack of nobility concealing weapon; another suspect had multiple warrants

By Darryl Saffold, Strategic Communications Officer, Antioch Police Department

Last night, while everyone was hopefully sleeping 🛌, our Blue Swings crew was out searching for things that go bump in the night. On three separate stops, by three separate officers, four illegal handguns were recovered.

There are no code reds 🚨 in Antioch, meaning we will be proactive in making sure our streets and citizens are safe! Thankfully we have a few good men and women who make it so we can all rest a little easier.

DATE: 1/27/22  TIME: 6:06 PM

LOCATION: Peppertree Way at Sycamore Drive

Officer Nutt conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle being driven by Sir Stephen Forbes (22 years old). A probable cause search was conducted, and a loaded firearm was located inside a fanny pack belonging to Sir Stephen. The gun was registered to Sir Stephen but he was illegally concealing the firearm and did not have a concealed carry permit. Sir Stephen was subsequently cited and released from the scene for the MISD weapons possession.

DATE: 1/27/22  TIME: 10:38  PM

LOCATION: G Street at W. 13th Street

Officer Miller conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle being driven by Taylor Michelson (30 years old). A records check showed Michelson to have multiple warrants for his arrest. Michelson was taken into custody without incident and a subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a loaded Glock pistol. Michelson was transported to MDF.

Two other illegal firearms were recovered last night through police efforts. No additional details will be provided to protect identities of parties involved.

Resident reported seeing someone giving the victim CPR.

By Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold, Antioch Police Department

ANTIOCH, CA – Today, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, at approximately 2:16 PM, Antioch Police Department Dispatch began receiving numerous 911 calls of gunshots being fired in the area of 2958 Delta Fair Boulevard, the location of Super Wine & Liquor. Additional information that was provided indicated a subject was on the ground in the parking lot, who appeared to have been struck by gunfire and was in critical condition. Supplementary witness accounts informed Dispatch that an unidentified vehicle drove away from the area at a high rate of speed.

At approximately 2:19 PM, Antioch Officers arrived in the area and noticed an unresponsive Black male adult approximately in his 50’s, lying motionless in the parking lot. After life-saving measures were attempted by officers, the victim ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The man has not yet been identified.

Please avoid this area, as this is an active crime scene.

Due to the ongoing and active nature of the investigation, no further information is available to be released at this time.

This information is made available by the Support Services Division. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective A. Duffy at (925) 779-8940 or at aduffy@antiochca.gov. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch Police arrest parolee Andre Powell in the parking lot across from City Hall on W. 2nd Street, Sunday morning, Jan. 23, 2022. Photo by Allen D. Payton

By Allen D. Payton

A man was arrested along Antioch’s waterfront across from City Hall, Sunday morning, after Antioch Police received a complaint about a male exposing himself. An officer on the scene said the man was a wanted parolee.

According to APD Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold, “he was on parole for a being a felon in possession of a firearm.”

“Officers were dispatched to the area of Monica’s (Riverview restaurant) for a call of a male exposing himself. Officers stopped Andre Powell (born in 1978) who matched the description and found that he was a Parolee at large,” Saffold explained. “It doesn’t say how he violated his parole in the warrant, but his primary offense was felon in possession of a firearm.”

Powell could be heard saying to police, as they placed him in the back of a police van, “you’re violating my rights.”

Illegal guns confiscated by Antioch Police Officer during arrest on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. Photo: APD

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Department Strategic Communications Officer Darryl Saffold, Officer Milner made an arrest, today, Saturday, January 22, 2022, in which he recovered an AR-style pistol and another illegal firearm. The suspect arrested is Giovanni Garcia, 21 years old from San Francisco, who was taken to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Officer Milner observed a vehicle that was in violation of the California Vehicle Code in numerous ways and made a traffic enforcement stop in the 700 block of W. 18th Street to speak with the driver.

In addition to the traffic violations, Officer Milner noted the strong odor of smoked marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. In California it is illegal to smoke marijuana inside your vehicle while driving. Think of it the same way one would think about having an open container of alcohol while driving.  Milner had probable cause to search the car.

After the various vehicle code violations and the incense strength aroma of smoked marijuana that exited the car, imagine Officer Milner’s surprise when he searched the car and located multiple firearms.

Needless to say, the vehicle was towed, and the driver went to the county jail in what is another example of proactive policing leading to more guns being taken off our streets.

Authorized to have 115 to 121 sworn officers on the force, currently 94 are at “full duty” status; below 1 officer per 1,000 population; state average greater than 2 officers per 1,000, national average of 2.4

By Allen Payton

Th Antioch Police Department is down 21 and as much as 27 sworn officers from what the city council has authorized of between 115 and 121, as of Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. In addition, there are currently no lateral officers in process that could be hired from other departments.

Plus, the city council, in spite of increases in tax revenue of $5.6 million and $8.7 million in this and next years’ budgets, did not include the hiring of any additional officers. Although District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker has asked for four more officers to be hired for her district,  District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica called for adding six more officers over the next two years and requested the hiring of additional police officers be placed on a council meeting agenda, and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock was the only one to vote against the current, two-year budget because it didn’t include funding for any additional police officers, Mayor Lamar Thorpe has refused to agendize the matter. (See related articles here, here and here)

Current Antioch Police Staffing

In response to questions about police staffing, Captain Trevor Schnitzius wrote, “We are currently staffed at 109 sworn-police officers (authorized to 115) with Council approval to over hire by six (in theory 121).  We have 15 Officers on various leaves which places us at 94 officers at “full duty” status (this number is current as of today and can fluctuate due to injuries and staff returning to work from injuries).  We had two applicants formally withdraw from our hiring process in recent months.  We do not currently have any lateral police officers in process with our department, but that can change at any time.”

“It is not at all unusual for this time of year just coming out of the Holiday Season and heading into the New Year to experience a lull in applicants, it’s typically one of our slowest times of the year for recruiting,” he continued. “We have three new police officer trainees that started the Academy in January, and we maintain continuous, open recruitments for lateral, academy grad, and police trainee positions.  Our agency is still offering a $10,000 hiring bonus for lateral officers dispersed over benchmark timeframes.”

“It’s still an extremely competitive market for qualified police officer candidates these days.  Our recruiting challenges are not unique to us, and we still have a ton to offer as one of the premier law enforcement agencies in our area.”

Less Than One Officer Per Thousand Population

That leaves the city with only 1.0 officer per 1,000 population authorized based on the 2020 Census figure of 115,291 and less than 0.82 officers per thousand at full duty. The goal has been to achieve 1.2 officer per thousand since the mid-1990’s. That’s well below the approximate 2.0 officers per thousand statewide as of 2019 statistics. “Nationwide, the rate of sworn officers was 2.4 per 1,000 inhabitants” in 2019, according to an FBI report.