Started with altercation during event at nearby restaurant; over 70 gunshots fired; police seek help identifying unknown suspect(s); deceased victim not yet identified

By Allen D. Payton

On Saturday morning, July 15, 2023, Antioch Police crime scene investigators and detectives investigated a fatal shooting on W. First Street near I Street in Antioch a little after 2:00 am Saturday. According to Acting Lt. James Colley, a Black male age 45 is deceased and two Black females in their late 20’s had superficial, non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

More than 60 bullet casings could be seen on the ground, Colley shared. Two cars had been shot up, including a white sedan sitting in the adjacent dirt lot Saturday morning which “is the victim’s vehicle” he stated. The other vehicle was an unrelated SUV, sitting on W. First Street Saturday morning, and had its windows shot out, was “caught in the crossfire”, Colley added.

Asked if any of the victims had been in attendance at the event at Monica’s Riverview, he said, “we don’t know that at this time.”

Asked Monday afternoon for the identity of the deceased man, Deputy Sanchez of the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office, “we have not released his name because we don’t have ID nor next of kin, yet.”

Colley, of the APD Investigations Bureau, released the following information Monday afternoon:

“On July 15, shortly after 02:00 am, Antioch Police received several calls for service regarding a shooting near the 200 Block of I Street. Upon arrival to the scene, Antioch Police located one Black male adult who was shot several times. The male later died of his injuries at a local Bay Area hospital. The Antioch Police Investigations Bureau responded to the scene and took over the investigation. No further information will be released at this time.

The Antioch Police Investigations Bureau responded to reports of a homicide on Saturday, July 15 shortly after 2:00 am at Monica’s Riverview, located in the downtown area of Antioch. Detectives learned Monica’s hosted an afterhours party (RnB and Chill), which per witnesses had several hundred people in attendance. During the event, several patrons began to exchange words, which led to a physical altercation outside of the restaurant. During the physical exchange, over 70 gunshots were fired, resulting in the death of a 45- year-old Black male adult. During the gunfire, two females were also hit, but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The deceased male was an Antioch resident.

The Investigations Bureau is still actively working this homicide and following up on potential suspect leads. Any witnesses with information are strongly encouraged to contact detectives for follow up.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Available for Dine-In, Take-Out and Catering

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Ahead of the heat wave this weekend, the Antioch Community Center and Nick Rodriguez Community Center are open from 12pm-8pm Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th as cooling centers when temperatures reach over 102 degrees.

The City of Antioch is committed to providing a safe, cool place for residents at the Antioch Community Center and the Nick Rodriguez Community Center. Residents without home air conditioning, or with health conditions made worse with extreme heat and poor air quality are encouraged to seek out the cooling centers.

During these periods of excessive heat drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Antioch Community Center: 4703 Lone Tree Way

Nick Rodriguez Community Center: 213 F Street

By Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill

Join us at Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill in Antioch tomorrow for our Sunday Session! It’s going to be a blast from 2PM to 5PM. We’re thrilled to have David Bustamante, a Bay Area musician, songwriter, and producer, along with Bobby Santos, performing a fusion of awesome songs from the 60’s & 70’s and pop Latin rock hits.

Don’t miss out on our weekend Happy Hour also happening on Sunday from 2PM to 5PM. See you there!

Check out our all-day menu to see what delicious items we have to offer: https://smithslandingantioch.com/menu/

Smith’s Landing is located at 1 Marina Plaza at the foot of L Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

By Jareem Gunter

Join us on Friday, July 28 for the Antioch AAU basketball Dream Team Celebration: Shooting for Success, a dynamic in-person event where we’ll celebrate achievements of our founding team!

Join us for an exciting time at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center at 213 F Street in Antioch. Get ready to be inspired and motivated as we come together to celebrate success and dream big. Whether you’re an athlete, artist, entrepreneur or simply someone with big dreams, this event is for you! These young men have worked so hard and would love for you to join us in celebrating our accomplishments.

The Dream Team aims to provide essential guidance, mentorship and educational opportunities for young boys, ages 9-11 in 4th and 5th grades. We firmly believe that by instilling positive values, life skills and a strong sense of self, we can support these young men in becoming confident, responsible, and successful community members.

Join us in celebrating them! Please sign up on eventbrite to ensure we have enough seats.

For more information about the Dream Team visit HOME | Dreamteam (dreamteamantioch.org).

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

See photos from the celebration and parade winners

By Allen D. Payton

Hundreds of Antioch residents lined the streets of historic, downtown Rivertown to enjoy the annual Independence Day Parade on Tuesday afternoon, July 4, 2023. Beginning with Antioch Police motorcycle officers and the Delta Veterans Group, the parade ended with the Tamaborago Arrazador band and dancing horses. (See parade videos on the Antioch Herald Facebook here and here)

A crowd then gathered in Waldie Plaza to enjoy the sounds of Tony Lindsay, the longest-tenured lead singer of Santana, and band and Michael Jackson tribute band Foreverland. (See videos here, here, here and here)

Children also enjoyed the Kids Zone in the City Hall parking lot and folks enjoyed food from the Rivertown Dining District restaurants and the various food trucks and booths.

Thousands of people a gathered along the Promenade between G Street and Waldie Plaza, on the Compy Compomizzo Fishing Pier and at Monica’s Riverview restaurant (for a fee), as well as along the railroad right-of-way to watch the fireworks show over the river.

The fireworks barge arrived from Fulton Shipyard on the east end of Antioch’s waterfront to just across from the fishing pier and Monica’s the at the end of I and H Streets, as the pyrotechnics company staff prepared to launch the first shells of the show which began about 9:20 pm.

The fireworks show to end this year’s Antioch Independence Day Celebration and especially the finale pleased those who watched along the waterfront as they cheered, whistled and applauded. See videos of the fireworks finale, here.

Parade Winners

Most Creative: Delta Learning Center

Most Patriotic: Delta Veterans Group

Best Performance: Park Middle School Cheer

Best Vehicle – 1st: Councilmember Monica Wilson

Best Vehicle – 2nd: “Sassy” (1928 Pontiac)

Best Vehicle – 3rd: “Phatt Chance” (1950 Plymouth)