By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Saturday, March 27, 2021, at about 6:30 pm, Contra Costa County Dispatch notified Antioch Dispatch that the Oakley Police Department was pursuing a stolen vehicle into the downtown district of Antioch. The driver of the stolen vehicle lost control and crashed near W 2nd and J Streets. The driver was captured after a short foot pursuit. The passenger, 29-year-old Jesus Mejia-Izoteco, also fled on foot and started jumping fences. Jesus made his way to the backyard of a residence in the 900 block of W 3rd Street and shot an 8-year-old German Shepherd (Oso). (See related article)

Jesus then shot into the residence, nearly striking a 45-year-old male and his 14-year-old son. Jesus then shot through the back sliding door of the residence shattering the window. Jesus entered the residence and went to an upstairs bedroom where he changed into some of the homeowner’s clothes. Jesus fled the residence on foot and managed to leave the area without being identified or captured.

At about the same time this shooting happened, a 56-year-old female entered the front lobby of the Antioch Police Department and reported the stolen vehicle passed her during the pursuit. She reported that someone from the stolen car fired one round into her vehicle. This shooting happened near the intersection of W 2nd and E Streets. Oso was rushed to the Emergency Veterinary Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. Oso was initially stabilized, but unfortunately the gunshot wound was too devastating and Oso had to be euthanized.

The wonderful citizens of Antioch and others donated $1,500 to cover the cost of Oso’s medical treatment. Another $5,000 was raised through donations by Antioch Friends of Animal Services. These funds covered Oso’s cremation and will be used to honor Oso by assisting in the medical treatment of animals hurt during a horrible incident such as this one. This investigation was taken over by the APD Investigations Bureau. Detectives developed information identifying Jesus as a suspect in these shootings.

On April 5, 2021, the US Marshal Service Fugitive Apprehension Team located and arrested Jesus in the City of Pittsburg. Jesus is currently in custody at the Contra Costa County Jail and this case is being reviewed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration.

Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Bledsoe at (925) 779- 6884 or by emailing lbledsoe@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.

With opioid overdose deaths increasing during the pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration & the Antioch Police Department announce its 20th Take Back Day is scheduled for April 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 300 L Street in Antioch.

At its last Take Back Day in October, DEA collected a record-high amount of expired, unwanted, and unused prescription medications, with the public turning in close to 500 tons of unwanted drugs. Over the 10-year span of Take Back Day, DEA has brought in more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs. With studies indicating a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, clearing out unused medicine is essential.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period. The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.

The public can drop off potentially dangerous prescription medications at collection sites which will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.

DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop off locations provided lithium batteries are removed.

Helping people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA is working to reduce addiction and stem overdose deaths.

Learn more about the event at www.deatakeback.com, or by calling 800-882-9539.

 

150 cars; Mayor condemns them as “dangerous”; councilwoman attends one, claims they were to honor the life of teen shot, killed Saturday evening, says they “probably saved lives”; started in Pittsburg continued to Brentwood

By Allen Payton

According to reports by Antioch residents on social media, there were two car sideshows that attracted 100’s of people, early Sunday morning. Dawn Clark posted in a Facebook group the following, “Antioch: who else was awake at 1:30 am because cars revving their engines, squealing tires doing donuts and a large group cheering them on. It went beyond 2 am.”

A video of a sideshow at the Lone Tree Way and Bluerock Drive/Golf Course Road intersection and photos were posted by resident Sharron Q. Scott on Facebook showing the size of the crowd and some cars spinning “donuts” and burning rubber in the intersection. Scott claimed to have called the police, but they didn’t respond. Efforts to reach the Antioch Police for details about the incidents on Sunday were unsuccessful. However, APD Public Information Officer Lt. Tara Mendez responded, Monday afternoon.

“There were sideshows in three different locations. It started in Pittsburg, then to Antioch, then to Brentwood,” Mendez said. “In Antioch there were two locations, one at 18th and A Streets and the other was at Lone Tree Way and the Blue Rock Drive and Golf Course Road intersection.”

Asked if the police responded and what occurred she responded, “When you have crowds of that magnitude, and that kind of event, you have to get onto those at the beginning. When people start to scatter the public safety impact is huge.”

“All of our lines were full of people calling them in. We did respond to the events, but we were not able to respond in the way necessary,” Mendez continued. “These events are under investigation. We have videos, we have pictures.”

District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker who attended the sideshow on Lone Tree Way responded to comments on Facebook writing, “a 16 year old was killed yesterday this was their was (way) of honoring his life and mourning his death. As dangerous as it is fortunately this event probably saved lives last night lets hope more violence doesn’t follow.”

In response to her explanation Scott Truitt asked in a comment, “you’re joking right? You’re making excuses for this?” Torres-Walker responded, “I don’t make excuse [sic] I was simply saying it was this or the alternative which was more violence. And why are you coming after me what have you done to stop this mess besides complain. You don’t know how bad it can get keep trying to make me the problem instead of getting up and doing something to prevent this remember I just got here what [sic] your excuse.”

In a post on Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe’s social media page, a resident wrote, “my daughter in laws [sic] father died as ambulance could not get to him on time. Ken Smith was his name, he was 50 yrs old out of Brentwood. The ambulance could not get to him because of the side shows in area.”

A call to East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Public Information Officer and Fire Marshall Steve Aubert asking for verification of that information was not returned prior to publication time.

In emails to Torres-Walker on Sunday she was asked, how do you know that the reason for the sideshows was the shooting death of the Antioch teen Saturday evening, please? Did you speak to anyone who was at one or more of the sideshows? Did Antioch Police Officers tell you that? Or did you get that info from social media?

She was later emailed, “Someone claimed on Facebook, today that you were in attendance at the sideshows, last night. Is that true? Were you in attendance at one or more of them? If so, why? And did you call the police about them? If so, please provide the details. If not, please explain why.

Then the Herald obtained the screenshot of her social media interaction, in which she posted a photo from the sideshow on Lone Tree Way and wrote, “was curious so stepped out and APD is outnumbered tonight over 100 cars.”

On Monday, Torres-Walker was asked via email about the photo she posted from the sideshow on Lone Tree Way, “did you call police or were they already on the scene when you arrived? What time did you arrive there, please?”

She did not respond to any of the questions prior to publication time.

Thorpe also commented about the sideshows, condemning them as dangerous in a post on his Mayor’s Facebook page, Sunday afternoon, writing, “Early this morning I reached out to Acting Police Chief Tony Morefield concerning a large sideshow in East County.

Around 12:40 am, a large sideshow that consisted of approximately 60-80 vehicles came into Antioch after hitting Pittsburg earlier in the evening.

While in Antioch, they took over the intersection of E. 18th and A Street. The crowd set off aerial fireworks and encircled the intersection. There were approximately 200 spectators.

A drone was used to capture the sideshow and several license plates. This angered some of the spectators who tried to down the drone with high powered lasers.

The same crowd then moved to Lone Tree Way and Golf Course Road. Next, they moved to Brentwood. A criminal investigation is underway. For those inconvenienced, please know our police department is working to hold those responsible accountable.

While these large-scale side shows are not common in Antioch, smaller sideshows seem very common. I’m sure you’ve seen the tire marks. Therefore, as part of the upcoming budget process, Councilmember Mike Barbanica and I will be advancing measures to curtail sideshows by investing in small roundabouts at neighborhood intersections that seem to be magnets for small sideshows.

***Sideshows are DANGEROUS and have claimed lives unnecessarily including in Antioch***”

The final side show was reported to be on Sand Creek Road near The Streets of Brentwood shopping center.

Antioch Police Press Release

A Monday evening press release by Lieutenant Powell Meads of the Antioch Police Field Services Division reported that, “On April 18, 2021, at approximately 12:31 AM, the Antioch Police Department received a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) from the Pittsburg Police Department regarding a large sideshow that was occurring in Pittsburg, with the participants possibly heading towards Antioch. At approximately 12:41 AM, APD began receiving numerous reports of sideshow type activity as a group of approximately 150 vehicles made their way from Pittsburg to the intersection of 18th Street and “A” Street in Antioch. Once at that intersection, all directions of traffic were blocked by vehicles and spectators as a large-scale side show took place.

The large group then drove to the intersection of Lone Tree Way and Golf Course Road, where they overtook the entire intersection, and another sideshow took place. The group then proceeded eastbound and left the city limits.

Antioch officers were limited in their immediate response due to the overwhelming number of participants in the illegal sideshow. The investigation has been turned over to the Antioch Police Department’s Traffic Bureau. They are currently collecting and reviewing surveillance video and drone footage to assist in the identification of those who participated in the sideshow.

Anyone with further information or who witnessed the sideshow is asked to contact Sergeant Chang at (925)779-6864 or apdtraffic@antiochca.gov. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

UPDATE: Barbanica Offers Comments, Claims An Additional Sideshow Occurred in Antioch

In a post on his council Facebook page Monday night, District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica wrote, “Early Sunday morning I learned of the sideshows that occurred at Somersville and Delta Fair, E 18th and A, Lone Tree at Blue Rock and then Brentwood. As you may recall, I have been opposed to sideshows and talked about them before and after the election. My position has not changed.

Several months ago, I started reaching out to police agencies. I obtained information on how other agencies are handling them and even writing warrants to impound vehicles, even after the sideshow, putting the warrant information into the system and taking cars for 30 days. All of this information was passed on to APD.

This morning I called A/Chief Morefield. He confirmed to me that this warrant process is still taking place and that the sideshows from this weekend are under investigation and the possibility of pursuing charges is very real, including vehicle impounds.

I also reached out to Assemblyman Jim Frazier about this and asked about strengthening some laws to include using technology to identify those involved. He was very helpful in connecting me with the local Commander of CHP who is looking into some legislative opinions on sideshows through their state liaison in Sacramento. I want our city to have every disposable means to put a stop to this.

Today I was asked by the press to respond to this and what I thought about sideshows. I was also specifically asked about roundabouts and my thoughts. Here is what I told them:

Sideshows can be very dangerous for our community, not only to the people participating, but also the people that are watching. We have all seen videos of people injured at these shows, at times seriously injured. Approx. two years ago I got caught up in a sideshow while picking someone up from the Oakland Airport and after about 20 minutes we all had to drive over center medians to get through the area. We need to remember the family that is rushing to an emergency in a car that can’t get through and nobody knows they are sitting and waiting. One of our local sideshows this weekend was just a few blocks from a hospital and we just can’t have this here or any other location within our community.

In terms of roundabouts, I am not opposed, but we have to realize that we are in a large community and where do they stop. We have a lot of intersections. At this point, all options are on the table and I would like to meet with Traffic Engineering to listen to their ideas, but enforcement is a reality to these events.”

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

 

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

 

 

Both shooter and another passenger flee scene, arrested for illegal firearm possession

By Lieutenant D. Bittner #3252, Watch Commander, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Monday, April 19, 2021, at approximately 1:44 PM, an Antioch police officer was flagged down by a citizen near the intersection of W. 18th Street and L Street regarding a shooting that just occurred. The officer located a 21-year-old female gunshot victim nearby sitting in the driver seat of a vehicle stopped in the south parking lot of Antioch High School at 700 W. 18th Street. The female gunshot victim initially told the officer that she was robbed and shot by an unknown person. The officer was quickly able to determine that the female was being dishonest and was accidently shot by an adult male acquaintance. The male acquaintance was a passenger in the vehicle and fled on foot with another male passenger just before the officer was flagged down.

An assisting Antioch police officer located both males at the intersection of L Street and W. 10th Street. One of the males was in possession of a handgun. A second handgun believed to be the handgun used in the shooting was located by a police service canine near the scene. The female gunshot victim was transported to a local hospital by paramedics and is in stable condition. At this time the shooting appears to be an accident. Both males, ages 18 and 22, were arrested for illegal possession of firearms.

The shooting occurred inside the female victim’s vehicle as it was travelling north on L Street near William Reed Drive. The female victim stopped her vehicle in the Antioch High School parking lot, however the involved subjects do not have any current association to the school.

Anyone with information is asked to call 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.

“It was an extremely chaotic scene” – Antioch Police Lt. Donleavy

APD calls for backup from other agencies; at least two arrested for resisting, delaying, obstructing, or assaulting public safety officers.

By Lieutenant John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Saturday, April 17, 20201, at approximately 6:03 PM, Antioch police officers were called a residence in the 4500 block of Shannondale Drive on the report of someone who had been shot.

Numerous officers responded to the scene. There was a large gathering, of mostly young adults and juveniles, at the residence. When officers arrived, they had to contend with an uncooperative and growing crowd of over twenty people. As the officers tried to make their way to an open garage where the victim was located, several subjects in the crowd started to assault the officers. Antioch officers called for emergency mutual aid from the surrounding jurisdictions to get the crowd under control. At least two people were arrested for resisting, delaying, obstructing, or assaulting public safety officers.

Once officers entered the garage, they located a 16-year-old victim, down on the floor, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, described in an interview by Lt. Donleavy as a black male, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers learned that two suspects entered the garage, and at least one of them began shooting at the victim. Afterwards, both suspects fled on-foot in an unknown direction. The identities of both suspects are unknown.

4/19/21 UPDATE: According to Lt. John Fortner, “I’ve communicated with the CCC Office of the Sheriff, Coroner’s Office, and they are aware the next of kin was notified.  The decedent in Saturday’s shooting homicide was 16-year-old Rasaan Scypion of Pittsburg.”

Donleavy also stated, “It was an extremely chaotic scene with lots of people. At one point there was a physical fight by those on scene. We were told that there were multiple suspects and that they ran into an unknown direction and probably got into a car. They were in the house.”

4/21/20 UPDATE: A man claiming to have been at the scene and a witness posted comments on the Herald Facebook page. “They did not confront the police, his mother was trying to calm him , then the police got involved, to calm him down,” wrote LeVic Bassett.”

Asked “calm who down, the victim? Were you there and a witness?” Bassett wrote another comment, “I watch the whole thing, an(d) was beside the press when he walk up thats not what happened, this is a lie, I have it on camera, they was upset about the dude getting killed in the garage.”

Asked to speak directly to the Herald, Bassett declined writing, “I was told not to talk to you.”

Antioch Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes and Special Operations Units responded to the scene and took over the investigation.  Currently, detectives are working to identify any suspects or persons-of-interest. The investigation is still active, and evidence is being collected and evaluated.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441 or Detective Bledsoe at (925) 779-6884. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

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

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced that a Coroner’s Jury on Friday, April 16, 2021 reached a finding in the July 18, 2019 death of 21-year-old Omar Jalal Harb of Brentwood. The finding of the jury is that the death is an accident.  (See related article)

The Coroner’s Jury, which heard two inquests today, also reached a finding the October 16, 2019 death of 72-year-old Enrique Camberos Pina of Walnut Creek. The finding of the jury is that the death is a suicide.  (See related article)

The Coroner’s Jury reached the verdicts in both inquests after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding:  accident;  suicide; natural causes or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Officer involved critical incident protocol initiated

By Lieutenant John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Friday, April 16, 2021, at approximately 12:50 AM, Antioch police officers were dispatched to an apartment in the 200 block of W. 3rd Street for a 9-1-1 call. The caller reported that a family member was having a mental health crisis, and he was feeling suicidal.

Two officers responded to the call. When the officers arrived, they made their way to the second-story unit. As the officers entered the unit, a male subject emerged from the kitchen holding a knife stating that he wanted to die. As the male subject approached the officers, they started talking to the subject asking him to drop the knife. At the same time, the officers backed away from subject and out of the unit onto the second-story landing. The subject followed the officers outside brandishing the knife, while the officers gave him commands to drop it. The subject turned around, went back into the apartment and closed the front door.

The officers created time and distance by moving away from the apartment in accordance with their training. The male suddenly exited the apartment and charged at them with the knife still in his hand. The subject did not comply with the officers’ commands to drop the knife or stop, and he continued to charge at them. One officer used his Taser, but it was not effective, and the subject continued to charge at the officers. The second officer fired his department issued pistol two times striking the subject twice.

The subject fell on the landing and dropped the knife. Afterwards, the officers called for emergency medical personnel to respond as they administered first aid to the subject. The subject was transported to a local area hospital and is currently in stable condition.

Due to the circumstances surrounding this incident, the countywide Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident (LEIFI) protocol was initiated. Antioch Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigators and Detectives with the Investigations Bureau, along with a team of Deputy District Attorneys and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call 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.

Arrests made in 18 communities including as far away as Los Angeles and Las Vegas, with the help of 27 agencies.

“I owe this city an apology that the gang violence that started in Oakland has made its way to Antioch.” – Oakland Police Chief Armstrong

By Allen Payton

During a press conference, Thursday morning, April 15, 2021, Antioch Police Chief T Brooks announced the arrests of 48 gang members and associates duringing a complex, six-month investigation involving 24 agencies for murder, attempted murder and illegal guns. The effort removed 40 firearms, including 15 “ghost guns” off the streets and over $100,000 in cash. He was joined by Oakland Police Chief Leronne Armstrong and Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton who shared their appreciation for the joint effort. 2021-OPERATION WINDSTAR Presentation (See press conference video)

Known as Operation Windstar, Brooks presented the timeline beginning with the January 12, 20202 shooting in Oakland, which was linked to a firearm collected months later in Antioch, during a vehicle search of a known Case gang member. Operation Windstar Timeline

The chief explained how the investigation began with the August 29, 2020 murder of Case gang member Daunzhay Young in Antioch. He was shot with a short-barrelled AR pistol, and thirty-two rifle casings were collected. Young had previously been shot in Antioch on July 13, 2020. (See related articles, here, here and here)

Following are Brooks’ prepared remarks:

“What started as a joint investigation between the Antioch and Oakland Police Departments, quickly evolved into a multi-jurisdictional and collaborative operation involving many law enforcement agencies throughout the State of California.  The investigation, portions of which are still ongoing, has already resulted in the arrest of numerous gang members for murder, attempted murder, assaults with firearms, conspiracy, firearm violations and enhancements, and gang participation enhancements, in accordance with California’s Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act.

First, I would like to recognize and thank Oakland Police Chief LaRonne Armstrong, as well as Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton, for their partnership, support and attendance this morning.  Both will also be speaking here today, spotlighting some of these issues that are trending in our neighborhoods and jurisdictions, and offering insight from their perspectives and experience.

On August 29, 2020, twenty-year-old Daunzhay Young was murdered in broad daylight, in a quiet residential neighborhood, on Tioga Pass Way in Antioch.  He was chased on-foot while being gunned down by a male subject who used a rifle caliber AR pistol.  After Young fell, the suspect stood over him, using an execution-style tactic, and fired additional shots murdering him.  Detectives learned that Young was an active Case criminal street gang member, and he was targeted by a rival criminal street gang known as ENT, due to the ongoing and violent feud between the two Oakland-based gangs.  This initial homicide led to a long-term investigation into the violence surrounding this gang feud.

Detectives quickly realized Young’s murder introduced a larger narrative between the ENT and Case criminal street gang rivalry, and this was just the ‘tip of the iceberg.’  The investigation led into a deep-dive of the historical background of the ENT and Case criminal street gangs in Oakland and Antioch, to include their violent criminal behavior and lifestyle, and resulted in linking several other gang-related homicides, attempted homicides, and shootings committed in the months before and after Young’s murder.

Antioch Detectives reached out to Oakland Police Department’s Intelligence, Crime Reduction, and Gang/Ceasefire Units to leverage their valuable knowledge and extensive experience with these two gangs.  The partnership, collaboration, and open communication between our two agencies was critical to the success of this investigation, as was the flexibility and adaptiveness of the staff involved while the joint-investigation and overall effort began to take shape.

As the investigation took-off, Antioch and Oakland detectives identified the following timeline, linking seventeen shooting events and uncovering associates relevant to the ENT/Case gang rivalry.  Over the past year, Antioch had one homicide, five shooting victims, and four shootings where no known victims were identified.  In Oakland, they had one homicide, six shooting victims, and three shootings where no known victims were identified.

In about the middle of this timeline, Daunzhay Young was murdered.  During Young’s murder investigation, the Antioch Investigations Bureau also investigated two additional attempted homicides, not directly associated to the Young murder, but linked through the gang rivalry.  This effectively widened the scope of the current investigation, and increased the overall amount of resources needed to bring these cases to a successful resolution.

During the ongoing investigation, on February 27, 2021, a twenty-one year-old victim was ambushed and shot multiple times, in broad daylight, after he parked at a gas station on Lone Tree Way in Antioch.  As he exited the vehicle, he was shot approximately ten times by a male subject who used a 10mm semi-automatic firearm.  After the victim fell, the suspect stood over him, and struck him in the head with the firearm before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.  Associates with the victim returned gunfire prior to driving the victim to a local hospital.  Detectives learned the victim was an active Case gang member, and he was likely targeted by an ENT gang member.  Currently, the victim is alive and recovering from his injuries. (See related article)

Later that evening, there was a reprisal shooting in Oakland.  Several of the victim’s associates drove to Capp Street and Brookdale Avenue and fired several gunshots.  Oakland officers, aware of the earlier shooting, quickly responded to the area.  After several foot-chases, Oakland officers detained seven Case gang members and seized seven firearms.

Ten days later, on March 9, 2021, Antioch officers responded to a drive-by shooting, in a residential neighborhood, on Aspen Way.  The twenty-one and twenty-two year-old male victims just entered their vehicle to drive away when a suspect vehicle, that was waiting for several hours, drove towards them.  Multiple suspects opened fire critically injuring the driver and wounding the passenger.  Currently, the driver is alive and fighting for his life. (See related article)

Near the end of March 2021, and in collaboration with the District Attorney’s Office, it was determined the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau had enough evidence to arrest, and prosecute, those responsible for murdering Daunzhay Young, and attempting to murder the victims from the Lone Tree Way gas station, and Aspen Way shootings.

On March 30, 2021, Charles Bolden Jr. was arrested in Oakland by Oakland PD for the murder of Daunzhay Young.  Afterwards, a firearm and a large amount of cash were seized from the vehicle he was driving.

Later that day, Charles Bolden Sr. was also located and arrested in Oakland for the Young murder.  He was contacted near 41st Street in Oakland, and fled on-foot to a backyard shed where he barricaded himself.  After a short stand-off, Bolden Sr. was arrested peacefully by Oakland PD.  Afterwards, a pistol was seized from the vehicle he arrived in, along with two more firearms on the premises.

On March 31, 2021, five search warrants were simultaneously served and supported by SWAT Operations or Tactical Teams in different jurisdictions.  Two locations in Antioch were conducted by the Antioch PD SWAT Team on Fitzuren Road, and the Brentwood PD SWAT Team on Toyon Way.  The third location was in the City of Merced on Willowbrook Drive and conducted by the Merced PD SWAT Team.  The fourth location was in the City of Modesto and conducted by their tactical team, and the last was in the City of Los Angeles, which was conducted by their Gang Field Unit.

Eric Windom was arrested in Merced, and Keyshawn McGee was arrested in Los Angeles, for the attempted murder and drive-by shooting perpetrated on Aspen Way.

Later that morning, in Antioch, a fugitive apprehension team consisting of the Antioch Problem Oriented Policing Team and undercover detectives, attempted to contact Trent Allen as a passenger in a vehicle.  Allen fled on-foot through a business parking lot and was chased through a residential neighborhood.  The fugitive apprehension team caught Allen and took him into custody for his role in the attempted murder and drive-by shooting on Aspen Way.

Later the same day, the Antioch fugitive apprehension team located Terryonn and Armonie Pugh, both parolees-at-large, hiding out in an apartment complex in American Canyon.  With the assistance of American Canyon PD, and the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, Terryonn Pugh was taken into custody as he tried to flee to a waiting vehicle.  Armonie Pugh was taken into custody, without incident, pursuant to a search warrant for the location.  During the search, a firearm and a large amount of cash were seized.  Terryonn Pugh was additionally arrested for the attempted murder at the Lone Tree Way gas station, and for his part in the attempted murder and drive-by shooting on Aspen Way.

On April 1, 2021, two search warrants were simultaneously served and supported by SWAT Operations in the cities of Vallejo and San Leandro.  The Antioch PD SWAT Team arrested D’Marco Lindsey in Vallejo for the murder of Young.  Evidence and firearms were located at the scene and collected.  The San Leandro PD SWAT Team, served a search warrant in their city, at a location associated with Lindsey and additional firearms were collected.

During the course of this investigation, Antioch Police Department’s Special Operations Unit, and newly formed Gang Team, dedicated eight undercover detectives who provided more than 1,825 staff hours performing duties related to undercover operations, surveillance, interdiction, and arrests for these cases.

Antioch Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Crime Analysts, and Crime Scene Investigators dedicated another 23 detectives and staff members, who provided more than 4,750 staff hours, preforming duties related to investigations, interviews, data analysis, historical research, community engagement and collaboration, search warrants, video surveillance collection, crime scene reconstruction, and rapid evidence processing.

The Antioch Investigations Bureau authored and served over 100 search warrants.  Forty firearms, to include assault weapons, were seized and sent to the Contra Costa County Crime Lab for processing, and fifteen of those were ‘Ghost Guns’.  A ghost gun is a homemade or improvised firearm that lacks commercial serial numbers.  Thirty-six adult members of the ENT and Case criminal street gangs were identified, along with fifteen juveniles.  Many of them were arrested for crimes related to shooting assaults, robbery, burglary, firearm violations, and illegal drug sales.

I cannot emphasize enough how incredibly proud I am of the men and women of the Antioch Police Department.  Their hard work, tenacity, professionalism, and commitment to public safety inspires me daily, and I am honored to be their chief.

In addition to the human-factor, it cannot be overstated that the technological advancements leveraged by today’s law enforcement agencies also played a large role in the success of the investigations.  Technologies like ShotSpotter, LPR systems, community cameras, and partnerships with ATF and their administration of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, provide evidence-based data supporting their capability and effectiveness for having an impact on gun violence investigations, helping cities change the trajectory of violent crime in their communities.

As a law enforcement agency, identifying the people responsible for violent crimes in our community is only one part of the equation.  Being able to prove who did it, beyond a reasonable doubt, is another.  It is important for the victims of violent crimes and their families to have justice, and for those responsible to be held accountable.  As the Chief of Police, I am committed to leveraging partnerships and technology in order to reduce or eliminate gun violence in our community.  I truly value our partnership and the close collaboration with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, so we may continue to provide them with professional and complete investigations they can file in court.

It is now my pleasure to invite Chief Armstrong from the Oakland Police Department up to speak more on his agency’s involvement in this case, as well as their dedication to reducing gun violence.  But before I do, Chief Armstrong, please allow me to extend my sincerest appreciation and respect to you, and the members of the Oakland Police Department, for all the hard work and assistance you provided to us throughout this operation.

As I mentioned earlier, this was a taxing and very complex operation.  The Antioch Police Department would like to thank the following 27 agencies for operational support, surveillance, and take-down/arrests.”

Oakland Chief Armstrong

“I owe this city an apology that the gang violence that started in Oakland has made its way to Antioch,” Armstrong said. “I see weapons that should be used in war. But they are used in our communities. Everybody deserves to live in a safe community. I want to thank all the investigators from the Antioch Police Department who put in the hours. I’m hoping we can see a more safe community in Oakland and Antioch and the Bay Area.”

CCDA Becton

DA Becton shared her thoughts on the coordinated effort.

“Their cooperation and collaboration with our office has allowed us to stand here, today,” she said. “With this successful operation we are holding these ENT gang members responsible for the violence they have caused in our communities. Our department is prioritizing the arrests of these gang members. With the recent arrests, these violent gang members are no longer on the streets of Oakland and Antioch.”

Following are her prepared remarks:

“I want to thank Chief Brooks and Chief Armstrong for being here today. I also want to congratulate the prosecutors and inspectors in my office for their important work in filing this case. With the successful investigation and arrests here, we are holding these ENT gang members for the violence they caused.

East County is no stranger to gang violence. Unfortunately, over the years we have seen a growing trend of gang members moving here and operating in this area. This is one of the reasons we are so determined to get not only violent gang members off the streets but also illegal guns. The scourge of gun violence is impacting every single faucet of our neighborhoods. These agencies and my office are committed to prioritizing the arrest and prosecution of these violent and dangerous individuals.

This successful operation will further deter gang violence in East County and my office is committed to do everything we can to deter this type of violence. The FBI Safe Streets Task Force, managed by my office, and these agencies did a tremendous job in bringing some closure to the victims’ families surrounding these heinous acts of violence. With the recent arrests, these violent gang members are no longer on the streets of Antioch and Oakland and our communities are safer.

This investigation remains very active and ongoing. We are continuing to work with our law enforcement partners and encourage anyone with information about these crimes to come forward.”

Timeline Details

• January 12, 2020: A shooting in Oakland on 13th Street was linked to a firearm collected months later, in Antioch, during a vehicle search of a known Case gang member.  No known victims were identified for this shooting.
• June 25, 2020: A known ENT gang member was shot in Oakland and walked into a local hospital where he was contact by OPD.
• June 27, 2020: A known Case gang member walked into an Antioch hospital reporting stab wounds that were consistent with gunshot wounds.
• June 27, 2020: An occupied residence in Antioch was shot multiple times.  The location was associated with Case gang members.  Five casings were collected and linked to the shooting below and a July 13 shooting.
• Jun 27, 2020: Oakland officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation (twenty-two rounds fired) and a traffic collision on MacArthur Boulevard.  A Case gang member was shot, driving a stolen vehicle, and in possession of a firearm with an extended magazine.  ENT suspects committed the drive-by shooting and more than fifty-one casings were collected and linked to other shootings.
• July 13, 2020: Antioch officers responded to shots being fired between two vehicles on Hillcrest Avenue.  Case gang member Daunzhay Young was struck by gunfire and transported to a hospital.  Seventeen casings were collected and linked to previous shootings.
• August 14, 2020: Oakland officers responded to Beverly Avenue for a shooting of a Case gang member, who was shot while seated in a vehicle.  The victim ultimately died the next day.  Multiple rifle casings were collected.
• August 27, 2020: Oakland officers responded to a shooting on High Street and contacted a Case gang member who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Three handguns were located and collected.
• August 29, 2020: Case gang member Daunzhay Young was murdered in Antioch.  Young was shot with a short-barreled AR pistol, and thirty-two rifle casings were collected.
• September 4, 2020: Oakland officers responded to a shooting on Foothill Boulevard and contacted two ENT gang members, one of which had been shot.  Fifty-six rifle casings were collected.
• September 6, 2020: Antioch officers responded to multiple shots fired at a residence on Catanzaro Way.  This was found to be a memorial gathering for Young.  Thirteen suspect rifle casings were collected, and eight return-fire pistol casings were collected.
• September 30, 2020: Oakland officers responded to two ShotSpotter activations on Hillside Street (fifteen shots and six shots).  Several casings were collected and linked to the above memorial shooting in Antioch.
• October 9, 2020: Oakland officers responded to shots fired near Crest Avenue and Fontaine Street.  No known victims were identified.  Several pistol casings were collected and linked to prior shootings in Oakland and Antioch.
• October 11, 2020: Antioch officers responded to an exchange of gunshots on Deerspring Way at a park.  No known victims were identified for this shooting, and ENT gang members are suspected to be involved.
• October 19, 2020: Oakland officers heard gunshots on Hillside Street and located a vehicle collision and several casings.  The scene was abandoned, but an ENT gang member walked into a local hospital suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed into surgery.
• December 8, 2020: Antioch officers responded to several gunshots on Catanzaro Way.  No victims were identified for this shooting and several pistol casings were collected.
• January 1, 2021: Oakland officers responded to gunshots on Campbell Street.  An abandoned crime scene was located, and pistol casings were collected.  Shortly afterwards, an ENT gang member walked into a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg.

Assisting Agencies

1. Alameda County Sheriff’s Office
2. American Canyon PD
3. Berkeley PD
4. Brentwood PD
5. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
6. CHP – Golden Gate Division
7. CCC Office of the Sheriff – Forensic Services Division
8. CCC Safe Streets Task Force
9. Concord PD
10. Federal Bureau of Investigation
11. Fremont PD
12. Hayward PD
13. Las Vegas Metro PD
14. Los Angeles PD
15. Merced County Safe Streets Task Force
16. Merced PD
17. Modesto PD
18. Napa County Sheriff’s Office
19. Oakland Housing Authority PD
20. Oakland PD
21. Oakley PD
22. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office
23. San Francisco PD
24. San Francisco Sheriff’s Office
25. San Leandro PD
26. Vacaville PD
27. Vallejo PD