UPDATE: Female grazed by gunshot, male shot multiple times

In shopping center parking lot at A and W. 18th Streets; city’s 13th shooting this month

By Allen D. Payton

According to reports from residents, two people were shot Sunday morning, in the shopping center parking lot at A and W. 18th Streets. According to Pulse Point, the incident was described as a Medical Emergency at 9:22 AM with multiple Con Fire units were dispatched and the scene was cleared by them by 10:40 AM.

Antioch Police arrived on scene and began their investigation. Bullet shell markings could be seen on the ground at the crime scene near a vehicle parked next to the Rite Aid store.

According to dispatch audio there were two men believed to be the suspects who left the scene: “Responsible number one, BMA (Black male adult), six-foot, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black jeans, grey shoes. (Unintelligible) number two, the driver, BMA, six-foot, wearing a red and white jacket, black shoes. (Unintelligible) number one was the shooter last seen on foot eastbound on 18th Street. I don’t know if he got back into the vehicle. No other information at this time. Use caution. Notify Antioch PD.”

This incident is the 13th shooting in Antioch this month. Two of the other 12 resulted in homicide including one on Friday. (See related articles here, here and here)

UPDATE: According to Lt. John Fortner of the Antioch Police Field Services Division – Patrol, “On 9/22/24, at 9:21am Antioch Police officers responded to the Antioch Square parking lot, located on A Street at East 18th Street, for reports of multiple gunshots being fired. Once officers arrived at the scene, they located a female adult victim with a non-life-threatening grazing gunshot wound, and a male adult victim who sustained multiple gunshot wounds.  The victims were administered first aid and transported to local area hospitals for medical care.  The male victim is listed in critical condition at this time.

“The suspect(s) fled the scene in a vehicle and were not contacted by police.  At this time witnesses are being contacted, evidence was collected from the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.”

Has life-threatening injuries; police seek unknown suspect

Mayor blames shootings on lack of jobs

By Lt. Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On Friday, September 20, 2024, at approximately 12:27 P.M., Antioch police officers responded to the area of Cavallo Road and Sunset Drive for a report of shots fired. As officers were responding, additional callers reported that at least one person had been shot.

When officers arrived, they found an 18-year-old man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Officers immediately provided first aid to the victim until paramedics arrived. The victim was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries where he remains in critical condition.

This investigation is in its preliminary stages, and evidence and witness statements are being collected. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released.

The young man is the victim of the 12th shooting in Antioch, this month and the ninth in the past two weeks. Most of them occurred in the Sycamore Corridor across town from the location of this latest shooting. (See related article)

In a KTVU FOX2 news report on Tuesday, while participating in a labor union protest in Antioch, Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe blamed the shootings on the lack of jobs saying, “people aren’t employed…they don’t have work.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

One has prior felony convictions

By Antioch Police Department

On September 5th, Officers Whitson and Tanguma responded to a reported burglary at Spirit Halloween after a caller saw two men inside the store with flashlight. Upon arrival, officers observed the suspects—both wearing Halloween masks—pushing shopping carts full of costumes across Somerville Road.

After detaining the individuals, security footage confirmed their involvement in the break-in. A search revealed that the suspects were carrying ammunition, and one had prior felony convictions. Both were arrested for burglary and unlawful possession of ammunition and are now in county jail.

Police seek unknown suspect

By Lt. Desmond Bittner, #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

As previously reported, on Monday, September 2, 2024, at approximately 9:35 p.m., Antioch police officers responded to the 2100 block of Peppertree Way near Sycamore Drive for reports of shots fired in the area. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a 20-year-old male victim who had been shot at least once. Antioch police officers provided aid to the victim who was transported to a local hospital.

On Thursday, September 5th the victim succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The victim has been identified as Elijah Scales (20) from Antioch. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

According to his Facebook page, Scales was from Pittsburg and attended Antioch High School. Following the shooting on Monday, family members posted on Facebook messages, a 2019 photo of him (above) and a video montage of photos of Scales.

Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or by email aduffy@antiochca.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Police Department

Collaboration with our community members led to the arrest of a burglary suspect. On Friday, August 30, 2024, officers Tanguma and Whitson were called to Romi’s Liquor & Food in the 400 block of East 18th Street for a report of the alarm going off.

When they arrived, they found that the front door was smashed, and bottles of alcohol were stolen. The officers reviewed the surveillance video with the store owner who recognized the suspect. Officers identified two suspects and swiftly arrested one, who was charged with burglary.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

20-year-old shooting victim in critical condition at hospital, investigation ongoing

By Lt. Desmond Bittner, #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Monday, September 2, 2024, at approximately 9:35 p.m., Antioch police officers responded to the 2100 block of Peppertree Way near Sycamore Drive for reports of shots fired in the area. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a 20-year-old male victim who had been shot at least once. Antioch police officers provided aid to the victim who was transported to a local hospital. The victim is currently listed in critical condition.

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.

Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or by email aduffy@antiochca.gov.

Held on $1 million bail, one has history of arrests

Police identify victim as Efren Reynoso

By Lt. Desmond Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

As previously reported, On August 16th, 2024, at approximately 7:26 am, Antioch police officers responded to the area of E. 8th Street and A Street on the report of a welfare check. The caller reported hearing gunshots in the area earlier in the morning and now suspected a neighbor may have been shot. When officers arrived, they located a 47-year-old adult male inside of a residence on E. 8th Street suffering from a fatal gunshot wound.

The incident occurred at 3:13 am, but police were not notified until the body was discovered later that morning.

Antioch Police Department detectives have continued to work diligently on this investigation over the past several days. During the investigation, the two suspects in the homicide of Efren Reynoso were identified. On August 27th, with the assistance of Stockton Police Department, both suspects, Elijah Birba, Jr., age 21 (bon 4/22/03), and Christopher Paul Paez, Jr., age 23 (born 10/22/2000) of Antioch, were apprehended without incident.

The case has been filed with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Charges are as follows: Murder – 187 PC and Special Allegation – Personal and Intentional Discharge of a Firearm Causing Death – 12022.53 (d) PC

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Birba is Black, and according to the in-custody details, he is five-feet, six-inches tall, weighs 120-pounds and is being held at the Martinez Detention Facility on $1 million bail.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 160-pound Paez is also being held at the Martinez Detention Facility on $1 million bail. His ethnicity was not provided.

According to localcrimenews.com, he was also arrested in January 2021 by Stockton CHP for hit-and-run and in June 2022 by Stanislaus County Sheriff for DUI Alcohol/Drugs, DUI Alcohol with blood alcohol level greater than .08, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner and carrying a loaded concealed weapon.

Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Becerra at (925)779-6937 or by email abecerra@antiochca.gov

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen D. Payton

During a ceremony at the Antioch Police Facility on Monday, August 26, 2024, Interim Chief Brian Addington administered the oath of office to new Captain Joe Vigil and the department’s new Officer Michael Roy, Jr., a lateral hire from the Oakland Police Department.

In the past two years, Vigil has served in both an acting capacity for the position and as acting police chief, prior to Addington being hired earlier this year.

“As we continue to work on rebuilding our police department it brings fresh opportunities,” the chief said.
About Vigil and Roy he said, “They had the love support and continued encouragement from their families and co-workers to get them to this point.”

Addington then read from prepared remarks about each of the two men:

Captain Joe Vigil

Captain Joe Vigil (pronounced “vee-hill”) is a dedicated law enforcement professional with 25 years of distinguished service. Throughout his career, he has served with the Sacramento, Richmond and Antioch Police Departments, contributing his expertise and leadership to various roles. Captain Vigil has been an instructor in multiple disciplines, coordinated extensive training programs, and successfully led numerous units as an experienced investigator. He has also earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Cal State Long Beach. 

 Over the past year, Captain Vigil has overseen the Support Services Bureau, where he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision. His commitment to professional development is further evidenced by his recent completion of the Commission on Police Officers Standards and Training’s (POST) Command College, positioning him as a leader prepared to meet the complex challenges of modern policing.

For over a year, he served as the acting Captain and Acting Police Chief. August 2023 through February 2024 – acting Chief. This was an incredibly challenging assignment, but it truly highlights his unwavering character and deep commitment to serving the community and our department with dedication and integrity. His willingness to tackle such difficult tasks exemplifies the kind of leadership and resilience that inspires us all.

Beyond his professional achievements, Captain Vigil has been married for almost twenty years and has three beautiful children. He is well-rounded and enjoys reading, cycling, and cherishing time with family and friends.

A fun fact about Captain Vigil is his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he would train every day if he could.

“Less than one percent of our profession graduates from POST Command College,” Addington also shared.

Vigil had his father, Joe Vigil, Sr., who he referred to as “Pops” pin the new Captain’s badge to his uniform.

He said, “I’m not a man of a lot of words, so, I’ll keep it short and sweet. First and foremost, I want to thank my family, all the admin, here, Chief, everyone on the city side. Believe it or not, everyone in this room at some point or another I’ve had the obligation and opportunity to work with have helped me get here, good, bad or indifferent and I’m truly grateful for each and everyone of you. Thank you very much.”

Michael Roy, Jr. – Lateral Police Officer

Michael was born in Stockton, California, where he grew up. During high school, he played football and wrestled. Before becoming a police officer, Michael was a commercial truck driver.

Michael is a lateral police officer with almost two years of experience with the Oakland Police Department, where he served with distinction.

Michael is married, and he has a beautiful two-year-old daughter.

Fun Fact: He loves lifting weights and spending time with his family and is a huge 49ers fan.
Roy asked his best friend Will Wynhamer to pin on his badge.

He also offered a few words saying, “I’m 27 years old. I’m very happy that you’ve given me this opportunity. I want to bridge the gap between civilian and law enforcement.”

Oath of Honor

The two men were then administered the International Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Oath of Honor by Addington, committing themselves to the “highest ethical standards in law enforcement” he said. That was followed by a reception and photos with family and friends.

Addington later shared that he expects to swear in two more officers in about two weeks.