Guadalupe Zavala caused 6-hour stand-off ending in his death while unarmed

CA DOJ “commends APD” for manner in which they handled situation

Son later sued City of Antioch

CA Attorney General issues “policy and practices recommendations”

By California Department of Justice

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), today, Friday, May 24, 2024, released a report on Guadalupe Zavala’s death from an officer-involved shooting involving the Antioch Police Department in Antioch, California on December 10, 2021. The report is part of the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ongoing efforts to provide transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices. The report provides a detailed analysis of the incident and outlines DOJ’s findings. After a thorough investigation, DOJ concluded that criminal charges were not appropriate in this case. However, DOJ recognizes the important lessons to be learned from this incident. As required by AB 1506, the Attorney General has issued specific policy and practice recommendations related to the incident. 

“Loss of life is always a tragedy,” said Attorney General Bonta. “AB 1506 is a critical transparency and accountability tool, and our hope for this report is to provide some understanding and aid in advancing towards a safer California for all. The California Department of Justice remains steadfast in our commitment to working together with all law enforcement partners to ensure an unbiased, transparent, and accountable legal system for every resident of California.”

On December 10, 2021, Antioch Police Department responded to multiple calls regarding a man who was barricaded in his home with a rifle after shooting at neighboring homes and vehicles. A standoff lasting more than six hours ensued, during which Mr. Zavala fired multiple rounds from various locations towards law enforcement personnel, vehicles, and nearby residences. De-escalation measures, communications from the crisis negotiations team, and attempts to coerce Mr. Zavala from his residence were unsuccessful. At one point, Mr. Zavala exited his front door carrying what appeared to be a “full AR-15 style rifle.” Two snipers with the Antioch Police Department each fired one round hitting Mr. Zavala, causing him to fall back. However, because Mr. Zavala was wearing body armor, he was able to regain his footing and moved back inside the residence. Later, a fire started in Mr. Zavala’s home, and he ran out and took cover in his backyard. When law enforcement knocked down the fence of Mr. Zavala’s yard with an armored vehicle, Mr. Zavala ran towards the armored vehicle and was fatally shot.

Zavala’s son, Diego Zavala, joined in a 2023 federal lawsuit against the City of Antioch and six Antioch Police officers. (See related articles here, here and here)

Under AB 1506, which requires DOJ to investigate all incidents of officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state. DOJ conducted a thorough investigation into this incident and concluded that the evidence does not show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officers involved did not act in lawful self-defense or defense of others. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of the officers. As such, no further action will be taken in this case.

CA DOJ “Commends APD” for How They Handled Situation

In addition, the report shows the California DOJ Police Practices Section conducted a supplemental review of the information and “PPS commends APD for the manner in which they handled this volatile, dangerous situation, coordinating with neighboring agencies, exploring less-lethal options, and rapidly deploying the SWAT and CNT teams to the incident to attempt to achieve a peaceful surrender.”

CA DOJ Recommendations

As part of its investigation, DOJ has identified several policy recommendations that it believes will help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. These recommendations include:

COMMUNICATION

Antioch Police Department should ensure that officers are equipped with effective communications devices that can operate in the hilly areas covered by their department. Antioch Police Department can seek additional coverage or upgrades through their department-issued cell phone or radio carriers or, if that is impracticable or not feasible, examine whether there are other cell phone carriers or radio channels that would work in all areas they serve. 

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AGENCIES

Antioch Police Department should ensure that their officers can effectively and efficiently communicate with officers from other agencies in future incidents by setting up regional radio channel systems for interagency communication.

See CA DOJ Antioch Police Policy and Practice Recommendations.

Emails were sent early Friday afternoon to Acting Antioch Police Chief Brian Addington, Antioch Police Officers Association leaders and their attorney, Mike Rains for comment on the report, as well as City Attorney Thomas L. Smith, Addington and Rains with questions regarding the 2023 lawsuit that included Zavala’s son. The efforts were unsuccessful prior to publication time.

UPDATE: Rains responded early Friday evening saying, “That was good news from the DOJ. I think the findings were appropriate. The DOJ does a very good job, in my opinion, in these 1506 cases analyzing the facts and clearing the officers of any wrongdoing. I also see the PPS commends the department for de-escalation.”

About the lawsuit he said, “I don’t know on the civil side if the lawsuit is settled or not,” as Rains’ firm does not represent former officer Eric Rombough.

“We represented the officers in the 1506 case, including Duggar and Chang, who were the two primary officers who fired their weapons and were part of the DOJ investigation,” Rains added.

A copy of the complete CA Attorney General’s report can be found here.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

“Not any business, including any business I worked for would take a deposit at night” – Craig Cannon, Contra Costa County Fair Board President

Shares more details, says policies and procedures will be discussed at next Board meeting June 12

Positive Fair news: Mexican rodeo group working to bring Hispanic-themed events to former arena

By Allen D. Payton

Following the armed robbery of proceeds from the Contra Costa County Fair during an attempted bank deposit early Monday morning, May 20, 2024, after the end of this year’s fair Sunday night, on Thursday, Fair Board President Craig Cannon shared additional details about the incident. (See related article)

Asked to confirm the amount of $90,000 that was stolen he said, “I got it as a little under $100,000. I got that from the police. (Fair CEO) Joe Brengle’s not even talking to me.”

However, according to another board member, John Pence, Brengle sent out an email Wednesday night to him and the other board members about the matter. Cannon said he hadn’t seen it.

“Not any business, including any business I worked for would take a deposit at night,” Cannon continued. “It’s unusual. It’s one of the things I want to get the board together to talk about. Why would you make such a poor decision? The only one who has a deposit key is the fair manager.”

“A lot of information is not being shared when it’s supposed to be,” he stated. “It all boils down to the fair manager. He handles the overall money receipts, personnel, hiring and firing. But Joe works for the board. We hire and fire him.”

Asked if insurance will cover any of the loss, Cannon said, “I don’t believe so because it wasn’t during Fair hours or on property and it wasn’t in the bank. There’s a really thin line, there.”

Asked why the people depositing the funds weren’t joined by armed escorts by either the contracted security firm or county sheriff’s deputies, he responded, “That’s the question I’m trying to find out. But he’s (Brengle’s) not being forthright. That’s what we will discuss at the next board meeting. I’ve talked to the State of California, and they said I can’t have an emergency meeting. In my eyes, almost a hundred grand is a major crime against us.”

About the security firm, Praetorian and this year’s Fair, Cannon said, “They were great. This year’s fair was a good one and safe.”

He then reiterated what was shared with other media, that the loss of that amount of money could impact the fair’s music headliners and animal attractions for next year.

“This whole thing stinks,” he stated.

Two Temporary Staffers Handled Deposit

Asked who handled the deposit Cannon said, “Two temporary staffers hired by the Fair, this year in charge of parking and ticket sales. That’s another red flag. Something’s really wrong. Joe seems like a sensible guy. I don’t know why he would make that decision.”

Asked why the money wasn’t left in a safe on the fairgrounds and deposited during daylight, he said, “That’s a decision for the fair manager” and shared that the Fair, technically state’s 23rd District Agricultural Association, currently only has two full-time employees, Brengle and an administrative assistant who works in the office with him.

Since it’s the public’s money Cannon said, “That’s my concern. I also suggested the state bring in the CHP which oversees county fairs in the state. They delegate the authority to the county sheriff’s office.”

“I don’t work for the state,” he explained. “I’m appointed by the governor. Not this governor, the past one. The appointments are renewed. We can barely have a meeting quorum. If someone is sick, we can’t hold a meeting. The governor’s busy with the budget.”

Asked why the funds weren’t taken to the bank by the fair manager and a board member for a check and balance and if there is a procedure in place Cannon stated, “There will be. The Fair Board is all about policies and procedures. The manual is about 50 pages. But we don’t handle the day-to-day. Taking funds to the bank during daylight hours should be the policy.”

“He (Brengle) hasn’t been forthcoming to anyone on the board about this,” the fair board president reiterated. “This is crazy. It makes no sense at all.”

One positive thing Cannon shared is that a Mexican rodeo group is working to bring Hispanic-themed events to the former arena that was used as the paintball park.

The next board meeting, which is open to the public, will be held Wednesday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fair Board Directors’ Room at the Contra Costa Event Center (fairgrounds) located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.

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Possibly $90,000, police seek public’s help

By Acting Sergeant Kristian Palma #6286 Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau

On Monday, May 20, 2024, at approximately 2:18 AM, Antioch police officers responded to the 2500 block of Somersville Road for the report of an armed robbery.

When officers arrived, they contacted two victims. Officers learned the victims were employees of the Contra Costa County Event Park (Fairgrounds). The Contra Costa County Fair had ended, and two employees were tasked with conducting the night deposit. While conducting the night deposit at the BMO Bank they were approached by an unknown suspect. The suspect robbed the victims of the money and personal belongings at gunpoint.

Other news reports have pegged the amount stolen at $90,000. When asked, a county fair representative offered no comment but didn’t know how that amount was known by other media. Questions were emailed late Wednesday night to Fair CEO Joe Brengle asking if that’s correct, why the deposit was made at that time instead of leaving it in a safe on the fairgrounds and waiting until Monday morning to make the deposit, what is the usual procedure and for any additional information he could share.

We are asking for anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau. Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Sgt. Palma at (925) 779-6876 or by emailing kpalma@antiochca.gov.

Additional questions were emailed to Brengle Thursday afternoon including:

“Shouldn’t the deposit of such an amount be made with an armed escort, such as staff from the security company, Praetorian hired by the Fair this year or county sheriff’s deputies? Does the Fair have policies and procedures in place for handling deposits? Were they followed? What are they? What amount does the $90,000 (or more) represent of the Fair’s proceeds? Will the Fair’s insurance cover any or all of the loss? What impacts will it have for the Fair’s future?”

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

While Anello out on medical leave; oversaw internal investigations of bullying complaints

By Allen D. Payton

The Antioch School Board appointed the school district’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Certificated HR, Dr. Robert Martinez as acting superintendent, Wednesday night, May 22, 2024, to serve while Superintendent Stephanie Anello is out on medical leave.

Following their closed session meeting, which also included a performance evaluation of Anello, Antioch School Board President Antonio Hernandez announced, “The Board has selected Dr. Robert Martinez as acting superintendent on a 3-2 vote.”

However, Anello was not in attendance and Hernandez did not mention anything about that agenda item.

Martinez, who goes by Rob, oversaw the recent internal investigations of the complaints against Kenny Turnage by district maintenance employees. The results of the investigations have not been satisfactory to those employees, nor Hernandez who has publicly called for Anello’s resignation in spite of not having provided her with an annual evaluation for at least two years. Two additional investigations of the complaints using outside individuals are underway. Plus, Hernandez has called for a separate, board-led “investigation on the policies, practices, and culture of the Antioch Unified School District that impact our employees and students.” (See related article)

At the beginning of the Superintendent’s Report agenda item of the meeting, Martinez said, “First off, let me just say thank you to the board for the trust that you’ve placed in me to serve as the acting superintendent.in Superintendent Anello’s absence,” Martinez. “I will hold that responsibility with great care, compassion and commitment for all of our students, staff, families and community.”

About Dr. Rob Martinez

According to his LinkedIn profile, “Dr. Robert A. Martinez is currently the Chief of Human Resources for the Antioch Unified School District (in which he has served since June 2022). He previously served as Superintendent/CEO of Griffin Technology Academies, and the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. He was the Assistant Superintendent in the Fairfield-Suisun Communities where he worked for 32 years. Dr. Martinez has continually focused on improving and expanding educational opportunities for students. He strives to advance understanding of resiliency research for all his employees, students, and their families. He seeks to support all District personnel with advancing their personal and professional skills, knowledge, and expertise in working with children as unique individuals with unlimited capacities. He has served as a Board Member of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), ACSA President-Elect of for Region 4, Past-President of Solano ACSA Charter, as a Board Member for the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (#CALSA/Greater San Francisco, Bay Area, Region 1) and is currently the Vice President of Legislative Action for ACSA Region 4. He was awarded ACSA’s most acclaimed Personnel/Human Resources recognition in 2019. Dr. Martinez holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Education, both from the University of California, Davis. He is extremely proud to have earned his Educational Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership and Management with a concentration in Human Resources, from Drexel University.

His new book, “Recipes for Resilience, Nurturing Perseverance in Students and Educators” was recently released and is available on @Amazon. He shares messages from his life and lessons learned. His life’s work has focused on helping others live courageous, resilient lives. He previously authored “The Story of Sparkle and Shine,” a story of positivity and action for good.

He is available to provide keynotes, consultation, and training on building resilient cultures that create powerful safe places for our children and adults to learn, grow and develop in peace. He believes building resilience in each person, in equitable safe places is of paramount importance.

You can follow him @ResiliencyGuy @Twitter, @Instagram, @Facebook @Youtube.

Educator, Superintendent, Past CALSA Board of Director, Past ACSA Board Member, ACSA Region 4 Board Member, Solano ACSA, Life-long Learner, Dr. Rob often says, “Let the lives we help others live be the measure of our success.”

Martinez earned his Master of Arts Degree in Education in 1992 from U.C. Davis and his Doctorate of Education Educational Leadership, Human Resources Concentration from Drexel University in 2013.

Half-off passes on sale now through June 30th only.

Kids don’t want to be stuck at home for the summer, and parents don’t want to be stuck driving everywhere.

Give your kids their own set of wheels with a Summer Youth Bus Pass.

The Summer Youth Pass is the perfect way for youth riders to get around Contra Costa County during the summer. Passholders can take unlimited rides on Tri Delta Transit, West CAT, and County Connection local and express buses for an affordable and discounted price.

For only $30*, youth 6-18 can take unlimited bus rides from June 1 through Aug. 31, 2023 – one of the best summertime bargains for getting around Contra Costa County!

Click here to purchase your pass https://511cc.org/youthpass or come to our office.

*Actual pass price $60. Advertised $30 price reflects a $30 supplement per pass provided by 511 Contra Costa. Passes receiving the 511 Contra Costa supplement are limited in quantity and available only while supplies last.

It’s better to be ticked off than ticked on

By East Bay Regional Park District

Whether you’re hiking in East Bay Regional Parks, venturing into nearby open spaces, or simply relaxing in your own yard, it’s important to be wary of ticks, which are often present in tall grass, brush, and wooded areas. Visitors are encouraged to keep tick safety precautions in mind when visiting East Bay Regional Parks throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

Ticks carry germs that can cause a number of diseases, including Lyme disease. Lyme disease is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of a tick. It may be treated and cured with early diagnosis, but if not properly treated, it may persist in the body for years. Visit www.bayarealyme.org for more information.

What Does a Tick Look Like? In California, the western black-legged tick is the major carrier of Lyme disease. The adult female is reddish brown with black legs, about 1/8 inch long. Males are smaller and entirely brownish black. Both are teardrop shaped. Most ticks can’t fly or jump. They wait on the tips of grasses and in shrubs along well-used paths. With their front legs outstretched, they easily climb aboard unsuspecting hosts when they brush by.

Tick Safety Tips

1. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes.
2. Tuck shirt into pants, and pants into socks.
3. Use insect repellent on shoes, socks, and pants.
4. Check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks thoroughly and frequently.
5. Keep children and pets nearby. For maximum safety, consider keeping your dog on a leash.
6. Stay on trails. Avoid brush and grassy areas.

What To Do If Bitten By A Tick

1. Pull the tick gently from the skin using a tissue or tweezers (not with bare hands).
2. Scrape to remove any mouthparts left behind. An item such as a credit card can be used.
3. Wash hands and the tick bite with soap and water; apply antiseptic to the bite. Prompt removal of ticks may prevent disease transmission.
4. See a physician immediately if you think you have found a tick attached to your skin and you have any of the above symptoms. Early symptoms may include a spreading rash accompanied by fever, aches, and/or fatigue.

Download the Park District’s Living with Ticks brochure. Additional information is available at ebparks.org/safety/wildlife-encounters.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

A former Hockey Hall of Famer in Canada, two former youth football players including a Deer Valley High School grad and a father of two

By Antioch Police Department

We are happy to announce the swearing-in of four new Antioch Police officers! Officers Loroño, Jones, Serna, and Church all graduated from Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Center. Chief Addington swore them in using the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor and Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance for Public Officers and Employees. We welcome them and wish them the best as they embark on the next part of their careers and start their Field Training Program!

Alejandro Loroño 

Alejandro was born in Walnut Creek. He grew up in Brentwood and graduated from Heritage High School. Growing up he played club hockey for the Tri-Valley Blue Devils out of Dublin. During his time playing hockey he traveled all over North America to compete against various teams. During his free time, he enjoys going on motorcycle rides, playing hockey, working out, going to the shooting range, and playing video games. He is extremely excited, blessed and honored to start a career with APD! He also placed third in his class in the Academy.

Fun Fact: He became a former Hockey Hall of Famer for a year after winning a tournament in Canada. Getting his teammates names and his own put into the Hall of Fame! 

Trayjen Jones

Trayjen was born and raised in Concord. He graduated from Concord High School in 2021 and then moved to Antioch with his family. Growing up Trayjen played football and ran track in high school. He has a total of six siblings, which consist of five sisters and a stepbrother. Although he grew up in Concord, Trayjen loves the City of Antioch and cannot wait to be able to give back to the city as a Police Officer.

Fun Fact: Trayjen played football for 11 years before graduating high school, he wanted to play in college, but decided to pursue a career in Law Enforcement.  

Placido Serna

Placido was born and raised in Stockton. He graduated from Sture Larson High School in North Stockton. He then attended San Joaquin Delta College where he received his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and their two kids, spending time with his friends, and working out.

Fun Fact: On Placido’s 21st birthday neither of his kids were born yet, but on his 22nd birthday both of his kids were already born, and no they’re not twins!

David Church

David was born in Redwood City and raised in Antioch. He attended Deer Valley High School where he played football for the Wolverines. He has worked a variety of jobs including construction, retail management, auto sales, and real estate sales. During his free time, he enjoys working out, playing/ watching sports, going on nature excursions, and traveling to different destinations. He’s extremely excited and honored to serve his hometown of Antioch as a peace officer!

Fun fact: David can slam dunk a basketball.