20-year-old Isaiah Andrews shot, killed another 20-year-old man at hotel; hiding out in Antioch with a family member

UPDATE 1: Suspect mistakenly released from custody in Contra Costa County jail, on the loose, under investigation. UPDATE 2: Contra Costa Sheriff seeks suspect, issues statement

By Detective Brian Pritchard, Seattle Police Department

On October 18, 2025, California partner agencies arrested 20-year-old Isaiah Andrews and identified him as a wanted Seattle homicide suspect. After a vehicle pursuit involving the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Antioch, CA PD, and Pittsburg, CA PD. Andrews was booked into Contra Costa County Jail on a temporary felony warrant for homicide.

Seattle Police Department Homicide detectives connected Andrews to an October 15 shooting in Northgate, he is suspected of killing a 20-year-old man.

He will be extradited to King County Jail and booked for Investigation of Murder.

UPDATE 1: However, according to a reader of the Antioch Herald, Andrews was mistakenly released from Contra Costa County jail last week and a manhunt is underway by multiple agencies.

Asked if that was correct, when did it happen and what agencies are involved, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jimmy Lee simply responded, “The release you asked about is under investigation.” He was then asked again about the reported manhunt, the agencies involved and why the public wasn’t informed at the time Andrews was released. Lee responded he was working on a statement.

The same questions were posed to Seattle Police and Antioch Police Departments. Detective Eric Muñoz of the Seattle Police Department’s Media & Public Affairs responded, “This is an open and active homicide investigation. We will not be releasing any further information. Please reach out to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s office for more info.” APD Lt. Joe Njoroge directed the Herald to do the same.

According to the reader who chose to remain anonymous, Seattle Police were on their way to Martinez to pick up Andrews when they were informed that he’d been released.

UPDATE 2: Lee issued the following statement Monday afternoon, Oct. 27. –

“The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the release of an inmate identified as 20-year-old Isaiah Jamon Andrews of Kent, Washington, from the Martinez Detention Facility.

He was released on October 22, 2025. At the time, Andrews had been held on local charges, a juvenile warrant out of Sacramento, and an out-of-state arrest warrant for homicide.

After Sheriff’s Office staff realized Andrews had been released, we launched a search of the immediate area and confirmed that Andrews was no longer in the area. The search for Andrews is ongoing by the U.S. Marshals Service. Local law enforcement agencies have also been notified.

According to a reader of the Herald who chose to remain anonymous, Seattle Police were on their way to Martinez to pick up Andrews when they were informed that he’d been released.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Andrews is asked to call 9-1-1. The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.”

UPDATE 3: Asked about conflicting information regarding Andrews’ residency, Antioch Police Lt. Bill Whitaker said, “He is from and lives in Kent (Washington). He was here (in Antioch) hiding out with a family member.”

Original Post: October 15, 2025

Detectives Investigate Shooting in Northgate

Detectives are investigating a shooting that left a 20-year-old man deceased in Northgate Neighborhood.

Shortly after 4:50 p.m., dispatch received reports of a shooting at 2100 block of North Northgate Way.

Police arrived and found a man in the parking lot of a hotel, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Officers provided aid until Seattle Fire Department arrived. Despite life-saving efforts the male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances that led up to the shooting. 

If anyone has information about this incident, please call Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

Incident Number #2025-302193/ North Precinct/ N3

According to an Oct. 24, 2025, post on Facebook by news photographer and videographer Steve Hickey, “20-year-old Isaiah Andrews was taken into custody after a vehicle pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies…in California.

The Homicide-

4:15 p.m. on Oct. 15, officers responded to reports of a shooting in the parking lot of a hotel near Northgate Way and Meridian Avenue North. When police arrived, they found a 20-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the chest. He died at the scene.

The victim was known to law enforcement as a 216th Murder Block Hoover, gang member.” (See video)

According to localcrimenews.com, Andrews is Black and was arrested by Antioch Police for being a fugitive from justice and evasion with wanton disregard for safety.

Please check back later for any further updates.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Would require background process for commissioners, allow current police officers from other agencies or former APD or other agency officers, family members to serve

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, under agenda Item 1, the Antioch City Council will receive a staff report on the Antioch Police Oversight Commission and consider recommended changes to the ordinance.

According to the City staff report, “On July 7, 2025, staff sought input from the APOC regarding updates to this ordinance. APOC’s suggestions were reviewed and consolidated with the suggestions that staff now presents to the City Council. This collaborative effort aims to ensure that any revisions to the ordinance reflect community values, enhance oversight effectiveness, and support the City’s broader goals of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

“This effort is being carried out in response to City Council direction and aims to identify opportunities to strengthen the Commission’s structure, clarify its authority, and improve its effectiveness. One of the main goals of this review is to ensure consistency with best practices in civilian oversight and to support compliance with the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Antioch and the U.S. Department of Justice.”

The suggested amendments to the ordinance include the following:

1. Under Section 4-3.103 MEMBERSHIP AND APPOINTMENT, adding “the Chair, Mayor, and City Manager shall interview applicants and make recommendations to the Council”; adding a background process for commission applicants with information from personal interviews and social media reviews, and have them sworn in by the City Clerk or an authorized member of the Clerk’s Office;
2. Revise the language to read: “The Mayor and City Council shall strive to appoint and confirm members to the Commission with the intent of ensuring meaningful representation from individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. While not required to include representation from each category listed below, and recognizing that some individuals may reflect more than one category, the following are important Factors to consider when making appointments:”
3. Delete the following sub-subsections which list the individuals currently ineligible to serve as a Police Commissioner: a) current sworn police officer or his/ her spouse; c) former Department sworn employee or his/ her spouse; or d) current or former employee, official, or representative of an employee association representing sworn police officers or his/ her spouse. The only remaining prohibition would be for a current City employee or his/ her spouse.
4. Under Section 4-3.104 TERMS OF OFFICE AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE, adding the City Manager, Mayor, or any member of the City Council has the authority to make the recommendation; under subsection D) Regarding the removal of a Commission member add, “the City Manager, Mayor, or any member of the City Council has the authority to make the recommendation.” (4) – sub-subsection d) Regarding “absences from at least three meetings in a one- year span of time” delete word “unexcused;” (5) – sub-subsection e) Change to “violation of the APOC Rules of Decorum and conduct policy.”
5. Under Section 4-3.106 MEETINGS, subsection (A) – change to “at least once each month” and delete “July and December” language and that APOC would have the authority to hold additional meetings by majority vote.
6. Under Section 4-3.108 BUDGET, include a sentence that the funding will be incorporated into the City Manager’s budget, with the specific allocation amount determined during each budget cycle.
7. Under Section 4-3.109 TRAINING, Add a requirement that each Commissioner complete a police ride-along within the first 30 days of appointment and participate in at least two ride-alongs annually. Additionally, Commissioners must complete use-of-force simulator training within 90 days of appointment and annually thereafter. Commissioners are also required to complete all training outlined in the APOC Training Plan. Add a requirement that all training requests requiring city funding must be pre-authorized by the City Manager.
8. Under Section 4-3.110 POWERS AND DUTIES, Add “Personnel Complaints” to list of policies. Edit: subsection (B) “Work with the City Attorney to clarify the process for recommending changes to the specified policies. If APOC and the department agrees on the proposed changes, the Police Chief shall amend the policy accordingly. If APOC and the Department disagree, the proposed changes shall be forwarded to the City Council for final approval or rejection.” Under subsection (D) – Discussion of the requirement for APOC to review the proposed budget and conduct at least one public hearing.”
9. Addition: Temporary pause of APOC. The City Council has the authority to temporarily pause APOC. Such action may only be approved by a majority vote of the City Council and will be based on factors including, but not limited to, the Commission’s effectiveness, compliance with legal obligations, budget constraints, or shifts in city priorities. The temporary suspension cannot exceed three months within a rolling 12-month period. APOC does not have the authority to pause, without City Council Authorization.”

The City Council can also offer additional recommendations.

See Agenda Item 1 City staff report including presentation with recommended ordinance amendments.

Watch the most recent APOC meeting on Sept. 15, 2025.

Meeting Information

The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. They can also be viewed via livestream on the City’s website and the City’s YouTube Channel, on Comcast Cable Channel 24 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99.

See full meeting agenda packet.

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Lt. Joe Njoroge, a pedestrian was struck by a train on Tuesday evening, Oct. 7, 2025, in the area of 6th and A Streets. BNSF, the railroad company, are the primary investigators, he added.

According to Contra Costa County Deputy Coroner Aaron Carson, the victim was identified as Leighann Kingsbury, 34 years old, from Massachusetts.

Antioch homeless advocate Nichole Gardner spoke with Kingsbury’s sister who said she was from Worcester and moved here 14 years ago and confirmed Leighann was unhoused at the time of her death.

23rd vehicle impounded

By CHP Contra Costa

As a result of Friday night’s joint enforcement operation in the City of Antioch, CHP Investigators have seized a vehicle belonging to one of the main participants involved in the illegal sideshow activity.

This action follows the disruption of two large-scale sideshows, involving more than 200 vehicles and 300 spectators. During the operation, 22 vehicles were initially impounded, and multiple arrests were made. (See related article)

This latest seizure reinforces our ongoing commitment to holding individuals accountable for reckless and dangerous driving behavior that puts the community at risk.

This enforcement effort was made possible through the coordinated work of the CHP’s Golden Gate Division Investigative Services Unit, Contra Costa CHP, Antioch Police Department, and CHP Office of Air Operations.

Sideshows are not just dangerous — they’re criminal. Vehicle seizures and arrests will continue for those involved.

One man from Oakley, both innocent bystanders

By Allen D. Payton

As previously reported, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at approximately 10:21 p.m., the Antioch Police Department dispatch center received multiple calls reporting shots fired in the area of D and W. 19th Streets. When officers arrived on scene, they located four victims suffering from gunshot wounds. All were men. Antioch police officers provided aid to the victims at the scene. Two victims died at the scene.

On Friday, September 26, 2025, Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs for the Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, identified the two deceased men as Julio Castaneda, age 33, out of Oakley and Thomas Vega Espinoza, age 42, whose city of residence is unknown

They were initially reported as ages 23 and 37 years old.

Lt. Bill Whitaker confirmed the ages provided by Lee saying, “Those ages are correct. We didn’t have them 100 percent identified, initially. We got a bad name from a family member, and it wasn’t actually the right person.”

“Both were innocent victims and not even the intended targets,” he added.

The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit, responded to take over the investigation. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

Additional inquiries, tips, or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or by email at jcox@antiochca.gov.

On September 18th, 2025, a federal jury in Oakland, CA found a former Antioch police officer guilty of conspiracy against rights, marking another step toward accountability in a painful chapter for Antioch and Pittsburg. (See related article)

This case is part of a broader investigation that began in 2021 into misconduct by several officers entrusted to protect the public, including actions that fall under the broad category of crimes involving moral turpitude.

When a law is broken—especially by those sworn to enforce it—it is not just a legal violation, but an offense against the entire community. That is why in every criminal case, the District Attorney represents The People of the State of California. The harm caused by these individuals was felt by the public at large, and it is our duty and responsibility to pursue justice on behalf of all those affected.

I am grateful to our federal partners, our state and local investigators, and prosecutors who worked tirelessly on these cases on behalf of the residents of Antioch and Pittsburg. Thanks to these combined efforts, both cities have begun to rebuild trust and take meaningful steps toward restoring integrity in their public institutions. These efforts are crucial to ensuring safer, more just communities for all. Our office remains firmly committed to that mission.

Diana Becton

District Attorney, Contra Costa County

28-year-old Orey Douglas of Antioch and 38-year-old Sam Gray of Oakley

Douglas has a history of arrests since 2014 for murder, corporal injury, assault, sex with a minor, vehicle theft, false imprisonment, more

By Brentwood Police Department

On August 4th, 2024, Brentwood officers responded to an armed robbery that occurred at 50 Sand Creek Road. The victim reported being robbed at gunpoint by two suspects, identified as 28-year-old Orey Azniam Douglas of Antioch and 38-year-old Sam Donte Gray of Oakley (formerly of Concord – born 11-10-85). After both suspects were identified they were placed under arrest and charges were filed.

As previously reported, they robbed Los Mexicanos Market, Douglas was arrested that night and Gray remained at large until he was arrested on August 8, 2024. Douglas was charged with second-degree robbery and three firearms-related charges.

On March 3, 2025, the suspectswere found guilty of armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, along with numerous firearm charges and enhancements.

As of early this month, Gray will serve a 13-year prison sentence and Douglas will serve a 7-year prison sentence.

According to localcrimenews.com, the six-feet, three-inch tall, 215-pound Douglas is Black and has a history of arrests dating back to 2014 by multiple agencies including police departments in Antioch, Hayward, Fremont, BART, Oakland, San Jose, Vacaville, as well as Sheriff’s Departments in Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano counties, and Contra Costa CHP. Charges include murder, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, assault with any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, multiple gun crimes, sex with a minor and unlawfully causing a minor to engage in a commercial sex act by force, carjacking, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, false imprisonment, threatening a witness, evading police and resisting arrest.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-feet, nine-inch tall, 217-pound Gray is Black and was held in the Martinez Detention Facility on $140,0000 bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, he was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime, robbery, assault with a firearm on a person, felony parole violation and addict in possession of a firearm. Gray was previously arrested on Sept. 8, 2023, by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department on order for a person’s removal from prison to appear in court.

This case was a collaborative effort with our officers, Detectives, along with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. We are pleased this investigation has resulted in sentencing, and we commend the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in bringing this case forward.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Devon Wenger could face 10 years in prison

Previously convicted on steroid, obstruction charges, claims innocence, is a whistleblower being framed, suing APD

One of 10 Antioch, Pittsburg cops investigated by DA, FBI

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – A federal jury, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, convicted former Antioch police officer Devon Wenger of one count of conspiracy against rights.  The jury’s verdict follows a seven-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White.

Wenger, 33, was previously employed as a police officer with the Antioch Police Department.  According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Wenger conspired with other Antioch Police Department officers to use unreasonable force to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate residents of Antioch, California.

“Public trust must be at the forefront of the duty to protect.  By using unnecessary and unreasonable force under the guise of law enforcement, Wenger betrayed the community he was entrusted to protect.  Officers who hold themselves above the law and dishonor their oath of office will be held to account.  The people of Antioch deserve no less,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian.

“Today’s conviction makes clear that when an officer violates the civil rights of those he was sworn to protect, it will not be overlooked or excused. This marks the second time a jury has held Devon Wenger accountable, and it reflects the FBI’s commitment to pursuing justice in every instance where authority is abused. We will continue working with our partners to ensure that those who betray the public’s trust face consequences,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Agustin Lopez.

According to the evidence at trial, Wenger and two other Antioch Police Department officers, Morteza Amiri and Eric Rombough, communicated with each other and others about using and intending to use excessive force against individuals in and around Antioch.  The uses of excessive force included deployment of a K9, deployment of a 40mm “less lethal” launcher, and other unnecessary violence.  The evidence showed that Wenger and others deployed uses of force as punishment to subjects beyond any punishment appropriately imposed by the criminal justice system.  Wenger also withheld details about uses of excessive force from police reports and other official documents.

The jury convicted Wenger of one count of conspiracy against rights in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 241.  The court dismissed a second count that charged Wenger with deprivation of rights under color of law in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242.

Previously, Wenger claimed one incident of excessive use of force in which a 40mm less lethal round was deployed was under direct order of his superior officer.

Previously Convicted on Steroid, Obstruction Charges, Claims Innocence, is a Whistleblower Being Framed, Suing APD

As  previously reported, Wenger was convicted in May of conspiracy to distribute steroids and obstruction of justice following a jury trial in April 2025. However, following that conviction the former Antioch officer said, “Despite what the government is falsely boasting nationwide about me I never have had anything to do with steroids. Never took them, never possessed them, and sure as heck never conspired to distribute them. I took PEPTIDES, gonadorelin to be specific. It’s legal and NOT a steroid. I took the peptides to recover from COVID, COVID almost killed me and had me in a hospital bed and left my body in shambles. I still feel the effects of it to this day and will never fully recover. The FBI even seized gonadorelin and numerous other peptides failed to disclose that.”

He also provided further explanation of the steroid charges.

Regarding the obstruction of justice charge, Wenger said, “Additionally, the government falsely claimed I deleted contacts and Venmo contacts from my phone, yet that is not true. These contacts and Venmo contacts remain in my phone to this day. They never left. Now, my phone was backed up to iCloud the night before the phone seizure and the government could have searched my iCloud and seen that I never deleted anything from my phone, yet they did not even though they seized everybody else’s iCloud. This is because they are pushing a false narrative.”

Further, he claimed earlier this year he’s a whistleblower being framed.

“I am innocent. I am a whistleblower facing a whistleblower retaliation prosecution to silence me. I am being framed on fabricated and tampered evidence. Yes, the FBI and the US Attorneys on this case have fabricated and tampered with evidence, in addition to misrepresenting evidence and even lying to the court, and the public. They have been gone so far as to manipulate and suppress the documents that prove this (including exculpatory evidence) in the metadata data of their own discovery documents in order to push their false narrative. The truth will surface. That’s all I can say.”

“In addition to this we have filed a civil lawsuit against APD which outlines everything they put me through which led to these bogus charges against me,” Wenger added.

He shared copies of both his Motion of Acquittal and for a New Trial, and lawsuit against the Antioch Police Department and former Antioch Police Lieutenant Powell Meads, who was Wenger’s superior officer. The complaint claims retaliation, discrimination, hostile workplace harassment, failure to prevent harassment, discrimination or retaliation, and requests damages and a trial.

In addition, in a November 2024 interview, Wenger and his then-attorney Nicole Castronovo  argued evidence used against Wenger was unlawfully obtained, undermining his right to a fair trial. Castronovo further alleged prosecutors improperly withheld key exculpatory information from the defense.

They further claimed, in testimony given on October 25, 2024, Larry J. Wallace, Senior Inspector with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, admitted he illegally mishandled sensitive data and failed to seal private information during his involvement in the FBI investigation of the Antioch Police Department in 2021. The mishandling of that evidence resulted in the unauthorized use of Wenger’s personal communications and violated his legal right to privacy. It also violated the stringent rules of CalECPA (California Electronic Communications Privacy Act).

Remanded to Custody Awaiting Dec. 2 Sentencing

The Court ordered Wenger remanded to custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2025.  He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  Any sentence will be imposed by the Court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

The case is being prosecuted by the National Security & Special Prosecutions Section and the Oakland Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office.  This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney.

One of 10 Antioch, Pittsburg Cops Prosecuted, Convicted Part of DA, FBI Investigations

These civil rights charges against Wenger were brought as part of an investigation into the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments that resulted in multiple charges against 10 current and former officers and employees of these two police departments for various crimes ranging from the use of excessive force to fraud.  The status of these cases, all of which are before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, is below:

Case Name and Number	Statute(s)	Defendant(Bold: multiple case numbers)	Status
Fraud23-cr-00264	18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; 1343 (Wire Fraud)	Patrick Berhan	Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 24-cr-157 on 9/5/24
		Morteza Amiri	Sentenced to 84 months custody, 3 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-269 on 6/24/25
		Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash	Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release 11/15/24
		Samantha Peterson	Sentenced to time served, 3 years supervised release 4/24/24
		Ernesto Mejia-Orozco	Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 9/19/24
		Brauli Jalapa Rodriguez	Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 10/25/24
Obstruction23-cr-00267	18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations); 1512(c)(2) (Obstruction of Official Proceedings); 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)	Timothy Manly Williams	Pleaded guilty 11/28/23, status conference 10/7/25
Steroid Distribution23-cr-00268	21 U.S.C. §§ 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids), 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids)	Daniel Harris	Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 10/7/25
	21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids);18 U.S.C.§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)	Devon Wenger	Convicted at trial 4/30/25, sentencing pending
Civil Rights23-cr-00269	18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law); § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)	Morteza Amiri	Sentenced to 84 months custody, 3 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-264 on 6/24/25
	18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)	Eric Rombough	Pleaded guilty 1/14/25, status conference 10/7/25
	18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)	Devon Wenger	Convicted at trial 9/18/25, sentencing 12/2/25
Steroid Distribution24-cr-00157	21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids)	Patrick Berhan	Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-264 on 9/5/24
Bank fraud24-cr-00502	18 U.S.C. § 1344(1), (2) (Bank fraud)	Daniel Harris	Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 10/7/25

^{Updated September 18, 2025}

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.