Significant decline in number of highway violence incidents involving firearms on for second year in a row.

By Jaime Coffee, CHP Media Relations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a significant milestone for public safety, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) documented a substantial reduction in the number of freeway shootings across the state.  The number of confirmed freeway shootings in California dropped from 349 to 274 last year – a reduction of more than 21% from the previous year and a 38% reduction from 2021.

In addition to the reduction in the number of freeway shootings, CHP data confirms the number of victims killed and injured in highway violence incidents also decreased.  Last year there were four people killed in freeways shootings, which is a 60% reduction from 2022.  Additionally, there was an 8% reduction in the number of people injured – from 74 to 68 last year.  Reflecting the good work that contributed to these reductions, the number of arrests by the CHP in freeways shootings increased nearly 9% from 2022.

“While this downward trend marks progress, let’s be clear: one life lost by gun violence is one too many,” said Governor Newsom. “California will remain relentless in our pursuit to improve public safety, reduce gun violence, and invest in smart crime-fighting strategies that deliver real results.”

 “Freeway shootings are serious crimes, and the CHP actively investigates every incident of highway violence,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “This accomplishment reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of our highways throughout California and fostering an environment where motorists can travel without fear.”

If you are driving on the freeway and a shooting takes place near you, you should remain calm, be a good witness and note any details such as vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers.  Maintain a safe distance from the suspect, and call 9-1-1 if possible, to report the incident and your current location.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

City’s 2nd homicide this year

By Lt. Rick Martin, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On January 23, 2024, at approximately 10:53 pm the Antioch Police Dispatch center began receiving multiple calls of shots fired with a subject injured in the unit block of Bryan Avenue. Officers arrived and located two victims, a 41-year-old male and a 59-year-old male, both from Antioch each with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered first aid to both victims. Contra Costa Fire Department and Paramedics arrived a short time later and transported both victims to local hospitals.

The 41-year-old male victim succumbed to his injuries at the hospital and was pronounced deceased. The second victim has life threatening injuries.

Antioch Police Detectives were notified and have taken over the investigation. We are withholding the names of the victims until proper family notifications have been made. No further information will be provided at this time.

It’s the city’s second homicide of the year. As previously reported, the first homicide occurred on Jan. 10th when a 43-year-old man was shot.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Gragg at (925) 779-6889 or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By BART.gov

At 3:51 pm on Friday, January 19, 2024, BART Police received a call about a shooting that occurred on the platform of Pittsburg Center Station located at 2099 Railroad Avenue. The initial report was that a male suspect shot a male victim and fled the scene. The victim was taken to an area hospital and remains in critical condition.

A few hours later a second male victim who had also been shot showed up at an area hospital. The second victim remains in stable condition with a wound to his leg. BART PD is working to determine a motive for the shooting. At this point, investigators believe the shooting was not random.

The incident forced the shutdown of Pittsburg Center Station for approximately 4 1/2 hours so investigators could gather evidence. Investigators are also reviewing surveillance video captured by platform cameras at the station. The station was reopened and normal service restored.

By Antioch Police Department

The Antioch Police Department is seeking assistance in locating a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run with injuries. The collision occurred on January 14, 2024, at approximately 12:50 am. in the intersection of Laurel Road and Canada Valley Road. If you have any information related to this hit-and-run, please call our Investigations Department at 925-779-6925.

By Lt. Rick Martin, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Sunday, January 14, 2024, at approximately 10:26 pm, Antioch Police Officers were alerted to the area of Lone Tree Way and Deer Valley Road on a report of a stolen vehicle out of San Francisco. An Antioch Police Officer located the occupied stolen vehicle parked in the area of Longbranch Way and Prairie Way. As the officer pulled in behind, the suspect vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and a pursuit ensued. An occupant in the stolen vehicle fired several rounds at the officer, which struck the patrol car. The pursuit continued into Brentwood entering Highway 4 at Jeffrey Way.

Officers lost sight of the vehicle in the area of Golf Course Drive and Cache Peak. The vehicle was later located abandoned near Kaiser Hospital on Deer Valley Road. As officers returned to the original crime scene to look for evidence, a second stolen vehicle out of Concord was seen driving without any headlights on. With the assistance of Brentwood Police a pursuit ensued. The occupants of the second stolen vehicle abandoned the car in the area of Lone Tree Way and Heidorn Ranch Road and fled on foot. A perimeter was established but the suspects were not located. A rifle and shell casings were located.

There were no reported injuries to any citizens or officers. Antioch Police are currently following up on leads to identify the suspects. We wish to thank the Brentwood Police Department and the Pittsburg Police Department for their assistance during this incident. There is no further information at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lieutenant Martin at 925-779-6972 or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441.

By Lt. Rick Martin, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at approximately 8:18 pm Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to the 900 Block of Fitzuren Road on a report of shots fired. Officers arrived and located a 43-year-old male from Antioch with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered first aid to the victim who succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by paramedics. Antioch Police Detectives were notified and are conducting this active investigation.

We are withholding the name of the decedent until proper family notification has been made. No further information will be provided at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Palma at 925-779-6876 or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441.

By Sergeant Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On January 03, 2024, at approximately 8:37 PM, Antioch police officers responded to Sycamore Square located at 1068 Sycamore Drive for a reported shooting that occurred in the parking lot.

When officers arrived, they located evidence of shooting. While officers were on scene, a 32-year-old male victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound arrived at an area hospital. The male victim was treated for his injuries where he was admitted and is in critical but stable condition.

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

Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or by emailing aduffy@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.

Charged with five felonies, being held on $130,000 bail; Richmond PD assists

By Brentwood Police Department

On Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, Brentwood Police officers were dispatched to a report of a theft at Kohl’s. When the first officer arrived, he saw two of the suspects get into a car, which was parked in front of the store. The officer recognized it as being a suspect car involved in multiple prior thefts from Kohl’s.

The suspect car, which was driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed, fled from officers on scene. Because the suspects were believed to be involved in multiple thefts, with a most recent theft of $20,000, Dispatch notified other agencies of the information regarding the suspects and the involved car.

About an hour after this incident, Richmond PD notified our Dispatch that they had located the car and had one of the occupants, identified as 25-year-old Maya Vernay Usher of Antioch, in custody.

Usher was positively identified as one of the suspects responsible for the thefts. Our investigation also determined Usher is responsible for being involved in thousands of dollars’ worth of thefts from Kohl’s Department stores in and outside Contra Costa County. Usher was placed under arrest for organized retail theft, evading police, and other related charges.

This investigation is ongoing, and we will continue to work diligently in holding the other involved suspects accountable. A special thank you to Richmond PD for their assistance in this investigation.

According to recentlybooked.com, she was charged with five felonies including burglary: second degree – shoplifting, evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, grand theft: money, labor, property – shoplifting, organized retail theft with intent to sell, exchange or return and conspiracy to commit a crime.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the 5’1”, 195-lb. Usher (born 11-16-1998) is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $130,000 bail and her next appearance in Contra Costa Superior Court is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

According to localcrimenews.com, she was also arrested on June 12, 2021, by San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Deputies for grand theft.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Usher is a former Customer Service Representative for the Antioch Walmart store from Mar. 2017 to Jan. 2018, an Emergency Dispatcher for Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. in Oakland from Jan. 2018 to Dec. 2021, and has worked as a COVID technician for Bay Area PLS, a mobile phlebotomy company providing professional blood draws, vaccinations and Covid-19 testing, with no dates of employment provided.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.