Shooting between two vehicles on Cavallo Road on Wednesday evening, Oct. 8, 2024, struck the County services building windows and a refrigerator inside. (See yellow circle). Left photo courtesy of Catrina Beverly. Center and right photos provided by a resident who chose to remain anonymous.
“No victims have come forward,” – Antioch Police Lt. John Fortner
16th shooting in city since Sept. 2nd
By Allen D. Payton
A shooting between occupants of two vehicles on Cavallo Road in Antioch, Tuesday evening, October 8, 2024, at about 6:30 p.m. struck the Contra Costa County Social Services building but no individuals.
“No victims have come forward,” said Antioch Police Lt. John Fortner. “We didn’t locate any victims, no hospital calls, nothing.”
“It was two cars going at each other,” he shared. “We’re still looking at video. Basically, what we have, it happened between the Mexican market and the County building in the street.”
Antioch Police investigated the Tuesday evening shooting on Cavallo Road north of E. 18th Street. Photo by a resident who chose to remain anonymous.
“There was a car on the roadway facing south, about the 1700 block of Cavallo, north of E. 18th Street. It was a lighter colored vehicle. A darker colored vehicle heading southbound slowed down as it neared the other vehicle. The occupants of one car started shooting at the other. Both cars ended up making U-turns in the middle of the street and heading northbound, with the darker colored vehicle turning first. So, the lighter colored car may have been chasing the other. We don’t know if it was an exchange or who started it.”
“We’re not aware of any buildings being struck,” he stated. But when informed of the photos provided to the Herald and shared by a resident on social media on Wednesday. Fortner then added, “I will confirm that and get back to you.”
To combat the violence the city council on Tuesday night approved spending up to $500,000 on a Violence Reduction Initiative paying up to $200 per hour for overtime to outside agency officers and for the use of their equipment, but not paying double-time to Antioch officers. The initiative is focused on in the Sycamore corridor and Cavallo Road neighborhood and is designed to assist the “understaffed, overworked police department”, according to District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker in whose district 15 of the shootings have occurred.
UPDATE: Up to $500,000, but only includes up to $200 per hour for outside agency officers and equipment costs, no double-time for Antioch Police officers
“This is a temporary measure. It is not a forever thing,” – Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe
“…we already have an understaffed, overworked police department,” – District 1 Councilwoman Torres-Walker in whose district all but one shooting occurred as her reason for opposing the double-time pay for Antioch officers.
Reverses tobacco retailer ordinance now allowing them to be sold or inherited
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Antioch City Council, with District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica absent due to illness, voted 4-0 to approve a Violence Reduction Initiative with a budget of up to $500,000 and offering up to $200 to cover the costs of police officers and equipment from outside agencies, but not to offer Antioch’s officers double time, for now. Then, to ensure “Opportunity Lives Here” in Antioch, again for tobacco retail owners, the council barely passed on a 3-0-1 vote revision to the ordinance adopted in 2017 banning the sale or transfer to heirs of their businesses in the city as of Jan. 1, 2023. It was also the first council meeting for new City Manager Bessie Mae Scott who started on Monday.
Approve up to $500,000 for Violence Reduction Initiative, Pay up to $200 per Hour but Only for Outside Agency Personnel
Following public comments that questioned the expenditure of the funds for the Violence Reduction Initiative proposed in response to the rash of 15 shootings in September, mostly in the Sycamore corridor, District 1 Councilwoman Torres-Walker, in whose district all but one of the shootings occurred, was the first member to weigh in on the issue. (See related article)
According to the city staff report, the proposal had three parts: “1) Authorizing the payment of double-time for Antioch Police Officer’s Association Members for working extra shifts in designated areas of the City to reduce violence as directed by the Chief of Police or his/her designee; 2) Authorizing the City Manager to enter into agreements, approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office, to pay regional municipalities $200 per hour to send officers to work shifts in designated areas to reduce violence; and 3) Allocating up to $500,000 to fund this violence reduction initiative.”
“The double time for officers is for them to come in on their days office…to incentivize them…is what the double-time authorization is for,” the councilwoman stated “I don’t necessarily support the double-time. But I do support the use of outside support. What this really is to increase police presence in communities that need it most.”
Torres-Walker then went on another of her diatribes about her views on policing and public safety saying, “Had we invested up front in prevention of violence we wouldn’t need to invest in police” and if you want accountability, you’re not anti-police. “You don’t have to pander to Back the Blue, very dangerous individuals. You don’t want to be attacked by people who are very pro-police,” taking a swipe at a local police support Facebook group.
Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson then asked Antioch Police Captain Joe Vigil about double time versus outside agencies.
“The idea of having a balanced approached of having a bit of both…to supplement our police staffing,” he responded. “The whole point of this was to incentivize the officers to come in on their day off.”
“So, we don’t even know if any agency is going to help,” Wilson stated.
“No. We do. We have one and we have two in the works,” Hernandez-Thorpe interjected.
Ogorchock asked, “There will still be forced overtime?”
“It’s built into the schedule,” Vigil stated.
“Should we offer this to our officers before offering it to outside agencies?” she asked.
“Correct,” he said.
“It’s up to $500,000, correct?”
“Correct,” he responded.
“It’s being allocated as it’s being used, correct?” the councilwoman continued.
“Correct,” Vigil stated.
“Our officers are already working toward overtime, correct?” Torres-Walker asked.
“Correct,” the Police Captain said.
“This will be managed…to make sure people aren’t too tired,” the District 1 Councilwoman stated. “We aren’t obligated to offer overtime. But we could use money to bring in outside support.”
“This doesn’t have to be offered to our officers, first. I heard you say that, but I don’t think that’s accurate,” the mayor stated.
“No. It’s not. I apologize for the confusion,” Vigil responded. “There would be a schedule put out and built.”
“The main focus of this is outside agencies,” Hernandez-Thorpe stated. “I know it’s both. But the primary purpose that the chief has been working on is outside agencies. Our officers are already working overtime.”
“Since we already have an understaffed, overworked police department then we wouldn’t be discussing number one, but only number two and three (of the proposal),” Torres-Walker pointed out.
“But this is for the areas we’ve been talking about. They are doing overtime,” the mayor said.
“Some people are not coming in on their day off,” Torres-Walker stated.
“That’s the point of the incentive,” Hernandez-Thorpe explained.
“That would make (section) one moot because they’re already working toward overtime from the direction of the police chief. They’re just not coming in on their days off,” the councilwoman reiterated.
“My goal has always been the outside agencies. That’s the chief’s goal. What I hear the captain saying is for officers to come in on their days off, is that correct?” the mayor asked.
“I don’t support the double-time, but I do support incentivizing outside agencies,” Torres-Walker repeated.
“They already do get the overtime. We’re authorizing double-time,” Vigil shared in response to a question by Hernandez-Thorpe.
“While we may get outside agencies it doesn’t mean we’ll get every single day outside agency support,” the mayor explained. “This is a temporary measure. It is not a forever thing and I think…we’re not just talking about Sycamore, we’re talking about 18th and Cavallo. So, we’re talking about other hot spots in the community, and we don’t want it to spill over.”
“Whatever direction ya’ll want to go in, I’ll support,” Torres-Walker then said. “It’s not additional people. It’s maybe two people, three people.”
“Yes. Two, four,” Vigil responded.
“It’s not in addition. We’re still understaffed,” the councilwoman reiterated. “So, we can temporarily deter violence, then we’re over policing in one neighborhood and under policing in another neighborhood. I will just be interested to see what the results will be.”
“So, if are they coming in with their vehicles are they using our vehicles?
“These are not full shifts, they’re partial shifts around certain days and times,” Vigil said. “We do not reimburse them for after they leave…just for when they’re here and their equipment.”
Ogorchock then moved approval of the funding of up to $500,000 to fund double-time for both Antioch and outside agency officers.
“I get the council’s concerns about the officers’ overtime. We can either vote on these individually or set a parameter around the use of overtime,” the mayor then offered.
“I think it would be easier to vote on them separately,” said City Attorney Thomas L. Smith.
Ogorchock then withdrew her motion. “I still have concerns about the unions and our officers and how it has to be offered to them, first. I have a hard time dealing with the rest of it.”
“It’s not an issue,” Hernandez-Thorpe said. “The outside agencies, I really need the council to support this.”
Wilson then made a new motion to only approve the double-time for officers from outside agencies up to $200 per hour and spending up to $500,000. Torres-Walker seconded the motion.
“So, the goal is, you, mayor is going to go talk to the chief?” Torres-Walker asked.
“The city manager,” the mayor stated.
She will go talk to the chief about the issue of overtime for Antioch’s officers, Torres-Walker explained.
The motion then passed 4-0.
Tobacco Retailer Ordinance Revision
After voting on August 8, 2017, to not allow owners of tobacco retail businesses in Antioch to sell or transfer them to their heirs, the Antioch City Council reversed course during their Tuesday meeting. With very few public comments on the matter and although Barbanica had pushed the issue and the council members proposed postponing the item until he could be in attendance, the council went ahead and barely passed the revisions to the ordinance on a vote of 3-0-1, with Wilson abstaining.
During discussion on the item, Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe said he was on the council in 2017 when the council voted for the original ordinance, as was Wilson and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock. The ordinance passed at that time on a 3-0 vote with Hernandez-Thorpe and Wilson absent from the meeting. It prohibited new tobacco and paraphernalia retailers from opening in the city and those that were legally established prior to the adoption of the ordinance could not be sold or transferred after January 1, 2023. (See related article)
The mayor said the council voted for it because of the problems with youth buying tobacco products and crime at or near the business. But he said to a few of the business owners in the audience, “I’ve been to your business. It’s not a crime hub. But there are some that are in crime hubs.”
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker said she was never in favor of preventing business owners from selling or passing them on to their heirs. Although Wilson said she thought her colleague made a good point about the business owners wanting to create generational wealth, she nevertheless would not support the revision to the ordinance.
“We are open and willing to work with city leaders to identify strategies that can enhance our response to gun violence and improve the overall safety of our neighborhoods.”
On behalf of the Antioch Police Officers Association, we want to address the troubling incidents of gun violence that have recently affected our community. The violent weekend, marked by several shootings, has understandably left many feeling unsafe and concerned about the future. (See related articles here, here and here)
First and foremost, we want to express our deepest sympathy to those who were injured and to their families. Gun violence is a serious issue that impacts not only those directly involved but also the broader community. We recognize the fear and frustration expressed by residents and business owners, including Mr. Loinab, whose experiences highlight the challenges we face in maintaining the safety of our neighborhoods. (See related TV news report and article)
The Antioch Police Department is committed to addressing these incidents with urgency and diligence. Our officers are actively investigating the recent shootings, and we encourage anyone with information to come forward. While we understand that many feel the current situation is dire, we want to assure you that we are working tirelessly to restore safety and security to our community.
We are open and willing to work with city leaders to identify strategies that can enhance our response to gun violence and improve the overall safety of our neighborhoods. Collaboration with city officials is essential in developing effective solutions that address the root causes of violence and ensure a secure environment for all residents.
However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges posed by limited staffing and availability of officers. We commend the Department’s ongoing efforts to prioritize hiring and expand our workforce. This is a crucial step in enhancing our response capabilities, but we recognize that building a fully-staffed department takes time. Adequate resources are essential to ensure that we can effectively patrol our neighborhoods, respond to incidents promptly, and provide the support our community needs.
We urge residents to remain vigilant and support one another while working collaboratively with law enforcement. Community engagement is vital; we need your input, your eyes, and your voices to help us effectively address these concerns.
We are also committed to advocating for additional resources and support from city leadership to enhance our policing capabilities and preventative measures. Your voices matter, and we encourage you to continue expressing your concerns to city officials, as their support is crucial in our fight against violence.
As we move forward, let us remember that change takes time, but together, we can create a safer Antioch. We appreciate your resilience and commitment to our community during these challenging times.
First one on south side of city; victim is 30-year-old man; police see unknown suspect
By Sgt A. Gonzalez #4336, Antioch Police Field Services Division
Antioch police officers are investigating an early Sunday morning shooting that sent one man to the hospital. On September 29, 2024, at approximately 4:01 A.M., Antioch police officers responded to a report of a 30-year-old man who had just been shot in the 2300 block of Huntsman Way at Whitetail Drive. Upon arrival, officers found a victim in the front yard of a house suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach. Firefighters and paramedics provided aid, and the victim was transported to a local hospital. The victim is currently in critical but stable condition.
The suspect is currently unknown.
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.
It is the 15th shooting in the city, this month, not including one that was believed to be an attempted suicide, two of which have resulted in the deaths of young men. But it’s the first one on the south side of town. Most of the others were in the Sycamore corridor believed to be part of a turf war according to both Interim Chief Brian Addington and District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker. (See related articles here, here and here)
Antioch Police Officer with the unregistered loaded firearm and meth discovered in vehicle on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Photos: APD
Outstanding police work by Officers Kawalya and Tryner
By Antioch Police Department
Monday night, Sept. 23, 2024, at about 11 pm, Officer Tryner and FTO Kawalya conducted a proactive traffic stop near G and W. 10th Streets. During the stop, the driver showed signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested for DUI. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine, an unregistered loaded firearm, a scale used for weighing illegal drugs, and prescription medications.
If you’d like to join Officers Tryner and Kawalya in keeping Antioch safe, visit www.joinantiochpd.com to learn about our outstanding pay, benefits, and assignment opportunities!
Antioch Police Officer Molina with a stolen gun recovered during a traffic stop on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. Photos: APD
Another gun off the streets of Antioch thanks to call from resident
By Antioch Police Department
On Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, Officer Molina was dispatched to a report of a suspicious vehicle on San Carlos Drive. Officer Molina contacted the driver who was less than cooperative with the stop and appeared extremely nervous.
When the driver was removed from the vehicle a loaded STOLEN firearm fell from inside the vehicle and landed on the ground!
It’s good police work and calls from citizens like this one, that will help to turn the tide on violence in our community.
Antioch Police Investigations Lt. Desmond Bittner answered questions about the recent shootings during a press briefing on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Antioch Herald Facebook Live video screenshot by Allen D. Payton
“We can’t say for sure it’s gang related. I’m sure it probably plays a factor.” – Investigations Lt. Bittner
This month’s 15th shooting on Sunday was self-inflicted, possible suicide attempt
By Allen D. Payton
After Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe made a statement on his official Instagram account on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, about the recent spate of 14 shootings in Antioch this month and claiming they “are being investigated as gang-rivalries” the Antioch Police leaders provided more accurate information and details on Monday. During an afternoon press briefing Lt. Desmond Bittner of the APD Investigations Bureau said, “We can’t say for sure it’s gang related. I’m sure it probably plays a factor.”
Following the briefing regarding the shootings, including four over the past week, Bittner repeated much of what he shared in a press release issued later Monday afternoon. It offers information about a previously unreported 15th shooting that occurred yesterday, Sunday, Sept. 22nd, which was a possible attempted suicide.
The police lieutenant wrote, “Over the past week, officers have responded to four additional shootings. Of the four shootings, one appears to be related to the shootings that began on September 2nd following the shooting death of Elijah Scales. The related shooting occurred on September 21st at 7:56 pm, in the 1100 block of Sycamore Drive. At least 17 bullets were fired, and three nearby businesses were struck by the gunfire. Fortunately, no one was struck (Report 24-8510).” (See related article)
Four Unrelated Shootings
“The three shootings listed below have no relation to the shootings that occurred September 2nd – 16th,” the press release continued. “We have also determined the shooting that occurred on Monday, September 16th at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds has no relation to the string of shootings.
Sunday, 9/22, 5:27 am (Carpinteria Drive) – Report 24-8523. Self-inflicted gunshot wound. The man is currently in stable condition.
Sunday, 9/22, 9:21 am (20 E. 18th Street) – Report 24-8527. At least eight rounds fired. One man was shot and is currently in critical condition. One woman was also shot and has since been treated and released from a local hospital. (See related article)”
Bittner then shared the list of the other shootings and again asked for the public’s help to identify the suspects as they are currently unknown. (See related article)
Addington shared earlier that the shooting of the “18-year-old on Cavallo was an isolated incident, the shooting at Rite Aid (on E. 18th Street Sunday morning) is unrelated” to the others. About all the other shootings Addington added, “It’s a turf issue.”
Additional Details from Monday Press Briefing
During the press briefing, Investigations Lieutenant Bittner said, “I can’t say for certain that all the shootings are related to the initial homicide Elijah Scales that happened on September 2nd. But we believe that they’re related, not all of them. They’re still under investigation, all of them. We haven’t made any arrests on them. We can tell you…the shooting that occurred at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, that one is not related in any way.”
“And then the shootings that happened this past weekend…on Cavallo and Sunset, that we do not believe is related to anything from the Sycamore corridor from the Elijah Scales shooting,” he continued. “The same for the shooting that occurred on East 18th Street and A, that’s not related, either…to anything on the Sycamore corridor.”
“The shooting that happened the other night (Saturday) in the 1100 block of Sycamore…at least 17 rounds fired, nobody was struck,” Bittner stated. “Three of the businesses were hit by gunfire.” He was referring to the Sycamore Square shopping center.
“We did have a shooting on Cavallo. This was the 16th, I believe,” the lieutenant continued. “A male was shot at a memorial location for Elijah Scales. The last we were aware he was still in critical condition and that’s still under investigation.”
Asked for an update on the man shot at the shopping center on Sunday Bittner said, “He’s still in critical condition. That’s still under investigation.”
Asked by another reporter, “are we talking about feuding groups of gangs?” the lieutenant responded, “It’s hard to say. We can’t say for sure it’s gang related. I’m sure it probably plays a factor. That’s something we’re still investigating.”
Asked for any message he wanted to put out to the public Bittner said, “My message is pretty similar to what the chief said last week and that this isn’t going to be tolerated, and everybody deserves to live in a safe community, and we just want to keep things as safe as possible and all this needs to stop. So, we’re going to do all we can to make sure this comes to a stop.”
Asked by the other reporter if Elijah Scales was known to the police for any previous criminal activity, he said, “Not that I’m aware of.” Asked about the man who was shot at Scales’ memorial Bittner said, “I think he was in his late- to mid-40’s and he was an associate of Elijah Scales’ family.” Asked if the shooting was a drive-up, drive-by or walk-up the lieutenant responded, “I believe it was a drive-by.”
“All our officers on the patrol level are doing a great job responding quickly conducting thorough investigations,” Bittner stated. “And then if it rises to the level of where our investigators come out, our investigators are doing the same thing. Every case like this, every shooting we take seriously. We do very detailed, thorough investigations. We do all we can to try and identify the people responsible.”
Asked what he would say to residents who might be concerned or are scared the lieutenant responded, “I’d say try to be vigilant. If you see something that doesn’t look right, notify the police. If you do hear gunfire, do the right thing, call the police and let us know. Be a good witness.”
Bittner was also asked for any motive for the shooting on Sunday and said, “At this point we’re still working on it. We don’t have a motive identified.”
Asked about the suspects who were seen walking away from the scene of that shooting the lieutenant said, “I believe we have some strong leads as far as suspects, vehicles and so forth. So, that case is looking good. I’m pretty confident we’ll get it resolved.”
Anyone with information can contact Investigations Sergeant Bill Whitaker at (925) 779-6876 or wwhitaker@antiochca.gov or Detective Cox at (925) 481-8147 or by email jcox@antiochca.gov.
The bicyclist and victim of the fatal hit-and-run was 29-year-old mother of two, Linda Woolridge. Herald file photo
By Sgt. Rob Green #3639, Antioch Police Traffic Unit
The Antioch Police Department traffic unit has continued to work diligently over the past several weeks on the investigation of a fatal hit-and-run traffic collision that took the life of a 29-year-old female bicyclist on July 27, 2024. It occurred in the area of Lone Tree Way and Sagebrush Drive. (See related article).
The case has been filed with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Charges are as follows: Vehicular Manslaughter – PC 192(C)(1)-Felony, DUI causing death – VC 23153(a)-Felony, Hit and Run causing death – VC 20001-Felony.
