By Darryl Saffold, Public Information Officer, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

ANTIOCH, CA. On 10/11/2022 at approximately 11:05 PM, Antioch Police Department Dispatch received numerous 911 calls of a pedestrian down in the roadway who was suffering from major injuries. Callers located the victim approximately 160 feet south of the Contra Loma Boulevard and Buchanan Road intersection.

At approximately 11:08 PM, Antioch Officers arrived on scene and located a 50-year-old female who was in critical condition. Officers immediately began life-saving measures with the assistance of other Emergency Medical Services that arrived at the scene to assist. The victim was transported to a local area hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.

During the investigation, it was determined that the victim was crossing the street westbound at the Contra Loma Boulevard and Buchanan Road intersection. Simultaneously, a vehicle driving southbound on Contra Loma Boulevard, at a high rate of speed, struck the female while she was in the crosswalk and before she could make it safely to the other side of the road. The involved vehicle then fled the area and did not stop to check on the status of the victim before leaving.

Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to contact the Antioch Police Department Traffic Unit at (925)779-6864 or email Officer Egan at Jegan@Antiochca.gov.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family of this tragic and unfortunate event.

Charges: assault with a deadly weapon and vehicular manslaughter as one of the three children was removed from life support and passed away

Ray Shaqil Reeves arrest and bail information. Source: Contra Costa Superior Court

By Allen D. Payton

On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, 29-year-old Ray Shaqil Reeves, was arrested in Oakley by Antioch Police officers for causing the accident that struck and injured three 12-year-old siblings, a girl and two boys, on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, as they were walking home from school in Antioch. All three children were transported to hospitals and one of the boys was later removed from life support and passed away. (See related articles here and here)

Reeves caused the accident that resulted in the injuries. As previously reported, according to witnesses a red Chevrolet Impala struck a tan Mercury Mystique in the area of Sycamore Drive and Manzanita Way, forcing the Impala in the direction of the juveniles walking on the southwest corner of Sycamore Drive and Manzanita way.

According to witness statements, the Mercury Mystique was traveling westbound on Sycamore Drive and was waiting for traffic to clear before turning left (southbound) onto Manzanita Way. Simultaneously, the Chevrolet Impala exited Sycamore Square onto westbound Sycamore Drive at a high rate of speed. As the Impala approached the Mercury, the Impala attempted to pass the Mercury on the left just as the Mercury began to make the left-hand turn. Regrettably, the result was the Impala colliding into the Mercury, propelling the Impala in the direction of the juveniles reportedly walking home from school.

He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for violation of the following California Penal Code Sections: PC 192 (c)(1)-Vehicular Manslaughter, PC 245(a)(1)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon, PC 245(a)(1)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon, PC 245(a)(1)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon, PC 245(a)(1)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and PC 245(a)(1)-Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

UPDATE: His bail has been set at $390,000 and arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 1:30 p.m.

Charges filed against Ray Shaqil Reeves. Source: Contra Costa Superior Court

The Antioch Police Department thanked “the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for hearing this case and filing charges against Reeves.”

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of the children and pray for the family and loved ones during this time of grief. Words fall short of expressing our sorrow for the victims of this extremely tragic incident,” the APD shared in their press release about the arrest.

Clerk-Recorder-Registrar claims elections in Contra Costa County are secure

By Dawn Kruger, Civic Outreach/Engagement Specialist, Contra Costa County, Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department 

On Friday, Debi Cooper, County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar, announced that registered voters in Contra Costa County will soon receive their Official Ballots for the upcoming November 8, 2022, General Election. Ballots were at the post office on Monday, October 10th and should arrive in mailboxes beginning today, October 11th.  If you do not receive your ballot by October 20th, call their office at 925-335-7800.

Cooper emphasizes that “Elections have been designated as critical infrastructure of this nation.  The State of California has one of the strongest voting security system standards in the country. Contra Costa County follows each and every procedure to ensure our residents can feel confident that their vote is being counted in the safest, most secure way possible.”

She also claims that “Contra Costa County Elections processes are not only safe and secure, but also fair, accurate, and accessible.  Security protocols in place include:

• The voting system is a paper-based system. The paper ballot submitted by the voter is considered the official record of the vote cast.
• The voting system is NEVER connected to the internet or county network.
• The voting system is physically restricted under lock and key; only authorized personnel are allowed in the area.
• Strict chain of custody procedures and the two-person rule are enforced.
• A state-mandated logic and accuracy test of the ballots and voting system is required to ensure votes are tabulated accurately.
• After Election Day, the County is required to perform a manual hand tally (audit) of at least a 1% of the votes as part of the official canvass process to confirm that the voting system accurately tabulated and reported all votes cast.”

For more information about the November 8, 2022 General Election, go to The Contra Costa County Elections Office, your trusted source of nonpartisan elections information, visit the website at www.contracostavote.gov, or call 925-335-7800 M-F 8 am to 5 pm.

Thorpe prepares to leave the Sept. 27, 2022, council meeting two hours and 16 minutes early to catch a flight to Los Angeles turning the remainder meeting over to the leadership of Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barbanica. Video screenshot.

Expected to participate via Zoom; “assistant” reveals Thorpe traveled to Los Angeles for one day

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe left the Sept. 27, 2022, council meeting early after getting his council colleagues to move up some agenda items and public comments moved toward the end. It was the first council meeting held since the Board of Supervisors voted for the $350,000 settlement in the sexual harassment lawsuit against him on Tuesday, Sept. 13th. While Thorpe refuses to give the reason for the quick trip or where he went, it was later revealed by his “assistant” on his official Facebook page, that he had flown to Los Angeles and returned Wednesday but didn’t say why, either.

Thorpe will be in Seattle for a four-day transportation conference, Tuesday night, Oct. 11th during the council meeting, but is expected to participate via Zoom. Antioch District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson is also expected to be on the same trip and participating in the meeting via Zoom. They both serve on the Tri Delta Transit Board of Directors representing Antioch and for which he currently serves as vice chair.

Antioch Chamber of Commerce Executive Daniel Sohn (left) with Interim City Manager Con Johnson and Thorpe at the Starbucks in the Bluerock Center on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Source: Facebook

In a post on his official Facebook page on Thursday morning, Thorpe shared a photo of himself with Daniel Sohn, executive director of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and Interim City Manager Con Johnson inside the Bluerock Starbucks celebrating “National Coffee Day” and inviting one resident to “get down here, gurl! there’s plenty to go around.”

Thorpe was asked about his Tuesday night flight and being out of town for the next council meeting on Oct. 11th. Following a voicemail message to which he did not respond, Thorpe was asked again via email Friday morning, Sept. 30, “To where did you catch a flight Tuesday night and for what reason that caused you to leave the council meeting early? When did you return that allowed you to be back in Antioch at the Bluerock Starbucks yesterday (Thursday) morning to take and post the photo on ‘National Coffee Day’?”

Since Thorpe said he would be gone for the next council meeting, as well, it was assumed he was traveling out of town for two weeks. He was also asked, “since you have your DUI trial scheduled for next Thursday, Oct. 6, did you not actually travel out of town? Where will you be on Tuesday night, Oct. 11 that will cause you to miss that night’s council meeting?”

He was also asked, “is this merely an effort, along with moving up the items before public comment on last Tuesday’s council meeting agenda, to avoid hearing public criticism and negative comments from people regarding the recent settlement of the sexual harassment suit against you?”

Thorpe did not respond.

Thorpe’s Facebook post about the A Street homeless encampment cleanup on Thursday, Sept. 29. Source: Facebook

However, in another post on also his official Facebook page, the same day, about the cleanup of the homeless camps on A Street along the railroad right-of-way, someone asked in a comment, “How can you be out of town but be at Starbucks on lone tree? #transparentantioch”

The response from someone read, “Mayor Thorpe was in Los Angeles Wednesday not Thursday.”

This reporter then asked, “why? Was it an official, government trip or personal?” Neither the person nor Thorpe responded. Those comments have since been illegally removed.

On Monday, Oct. 3 he was, again asked about his trip to L.A., “Why were you there? Was it an official, government trip, personal or for other business? If for a government trip, what did you do on behalf of the City of Antioch in Los Angeles, that day? If not, could it have been scheduled for some other time, so you didn’t have to miss part of Tuesday night’s meeting and rearrange the agenda? How long before Tuesday night did you know about your flight out that night? Was it prior to you developing the agenda for Tuesday night’s meeting? Also, why will you be unable to attend the next council meeting on Oct. 11, either in person or via Zoom?”

Thorpe was also asked, why he has an “assistant” responding to members of the public on his official Facebook page, who she is and if she is being paid by the city in some capacity or from his campaign funds. Finally, he was asked, “Do you really not have the time to interact with your own constituents?”

He did not respond.

Another attempt was made to obtain Thorpe’s reasons for missing part of the last council meeting and the next one. He was asked Tuesday night, Oct. 4th, “Why did you have to fly out of town last Tuesday night causing you to miss part of the council meeting?” and “Why will you be unable to participate in the next council meeting either in person or via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 11th? Where will you be and why?”

On Saturday morning, Oct. 8 Thorpe was asked via email, “Is it true you will be participating in next Tuesday’s council meeting via Zoom because you will be in Seattle, Washington for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) conference as a member of the Tri Delta Transit board? If so, why do you need to go? Do all the board members attend each APTA conference each year? Will any staff or other board members from the agency be traveling there with you, other than Monica Wilson? How much is your trip costing the agency, thus the taxpayers? Also, again, why did you fly to L.A. on Tuesday night Sept. 27 causing you to miss part of the council meeting that night?”

Thorpe did not respond by publication time.

Upper left photo (l-r): Siblings Mason Hanlin, Gianathon Vincent. Upper center: Mason. Upper right: Gianathon. Lower left: Mason,  Gianathon and Cheyenne. Lower right: Cheyenne Comfort. Photos provided by the family.

Family provides update

By Allen D. Payton

Cheyenne Comfort and Mason Hanlin, two of the three 12-year-old children, who along with their cousin, Gianathon Vincent, were stuck by a car as they walked home from school on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, are recovering from their injuries. (See related article)

Gianathon was later removed from life support and passed away, according to a KTVU Fox2 news report.

An update was provided Monday evening on the surviving siblings by their great aunt, Veronica Finley.

“Mason requires a wheelchair following the needed surgery to try and repair the damage done to his right leg that is now casted from his hip to his foot,” she shared. “He also underwent skin grafts needed to repair the damage to his face.”

“Cheyenne also relies on a wheelchair and use of a walker but struggles and needs assistance due to fractures to her hip and pelvis,” Finley continued. “The bleeding in her brain seems to have stopped, and her skull fracture is healing but suffers from severe headaches.”

“They have begun therapy for their injuries but it’s too soon to tell their prognosis or any other damage the accident may have caused,” she explained. “Psychologically, they are extremely traumatized by the death of their brother, the pain they are having to endure and this entire experience. They’ve also begun therapy to try to help them cope and deal with this life changing incident and all of this, as best as they can.”

“As soon as I have more information on Gianathon’s celebration of life I will let you know,” Finley added.

The Comfort-Hanlin-Vincent family, including (l-r) Mason Hanlin, Cheyenne Comfort, mother, Jami Hanlin, father, Johnny Comfort and Gianathon Vincent, with the two younger children. Source: GoFundMe

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family to help with expenses. The goal is $70,000 and as of Monday, Oct. 10th, the effort is more than half way to the goal. https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-devastated-by-children-being-hit-by-car

New Antioch Police Officer Devin Eigard is given his oath of office by Interim Chief Steve Ford on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. Photo: APD

By Antioch Police Department

Sept. 12, 2022 – Antioch Family, please welcome the newest member to the Antioch Police Department, Officer Devin Eigard. Officer Eigard joins us as a Lateral Officer from the Solano County Sheriff’s Office with several years of experience.

More importantly, Officer Eigard is an Antioch native and attended Antioch High School before graduating from California Virtual Academy.

Here’s an interesting fact about Officer Eigard, while working for the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, he became the department’s first Traffic Motor Officer. Which doesn’t come as a surprise considering Monster Energy sponsored him for BMX riding in his youth…true story.

We can’t wait to see what tricks you have in store for the city of Antioch, Officer Eigard; welcome aboard!

Following unsuccessful attempts to de-escalate officers use non-lethal force to subdue him

The suspect’s knife used in the stabbing and robbery of another man on Oct. 14, 2022. Photo: APD

By Antioch Police Department

On October 4, 2022, at approximately 10:51 am, Antioch Police Department Dispatch was notified of a robbery in which the victim was stabbed in the chest. Witnesses reported that the suspect fled the area after the robbery, leaving the victim on the ground.

Officers arrived and located a 58-year-old male adult suffering from a knife wound to the chest. Officers immediately began life-saving measures and rendered aid to the victim. The victim was transported to a local trauma center.

Witnesses pointed the other responding officers toward the suspect across the street, who was later identified as 29-year-old Hakeem Zumory Thomas. Officers pursued Thomas as he fled the area through the hills between Fairview Avenue and Buchanan Road, at which point he stopped running.

Officers tried to de-escalate the situation by talking and pleading with Thomas to give up the knife and surrender. Despite their efforts, Thomas refused to drop the knife and demanded that officers shoot him. Officers continued talking to Thomas, to no avail, while he refused their orders in further efforts to de-escalate the situation and not harm Thomas. Officers used a less lethal projectile as a distraction device, and Thomas finally dropped the knife and surrendered without being injured.

According to Vinelink.com, Thomas was still in custody of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office as of Monday, Oct. 10, 2022.

We offer our deepest condolences to the victim and pray for his speedy recovery. Additionally, we would like to thank all the community members and first responders who assisted. Moreover, we would like to commend the officers who responded to this incident. Due to their training and de-escalation tactics, the situation ended peacefully and without further injuries.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Lieutenant John Fortner, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

On Saturday night, Oct. 8, 2022, at approximately 11:55 PM, Antioch police officers responded to the report of gunshots in the 2600 block of Belmont Lane off of Buchanan Road.

Numerous officers responded to the scene. When officers arrived, they located one male victim in the parking lot suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Evidence at the scene indicated the incident occurred outdoors in the parking lot between the condominiums at that location. Officers immediately began administering first aid and called for emergency fire department and AMR paramedics.

Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene, and he was pronounced deceased. The suspect(s) fled the scene and have not been contacted.

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

Currently, detectives are interviewing witnesses and residents in the area and are working to identify any suspects or persons-of-interest. The investigation is still active, and evidence is being collected.

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