Photo by KTVU Fox2 News.

By Sergeant Matthew Harger #3305, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at approximately 6:45 pm, Antioch Police Department Officers were dispatched to Lone Tree Way just east of Deer Valley Road regarding a pedestrian that had been struck by a vehicle. Upon arriving on scene Antioch Police Officers located the 11-year-old male in the roadway suffering from major injuries and he was eventually pronounced deceased at the scene by Contra Costa Consolidated Fire Department personnel.

Another victim was transported to the hospital with minor injuries according to post on Twitter by the Con Fire Public Information Officer.

Antioch Police Traffic Investigators responded to the scene to conduct the investigation. The involved driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be involved at this time.

The preliminary investigation appears to indicate the victim was crossing Lone Tree Way outside of a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a passing vehicle.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact Traffic Officer Johnsen at (925) 779-6900 ext. 84265 or ejohnsen@ci.antioch.ca.us.

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

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Discovered during investigation of but unrelated to lock down incident

By Lieutenant D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Watch Commander Community Policing Bureau

On Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 at approximately 10:18 am, Antioch High School staff members made the Antioch Police Department aware of information provided by a student concerning three individuals on campus possibly armed with weapons. The school was placed on lockdown by school staff and the Antioch Police Department assisted the school in attempting to locate the individuals. (See related article).

The information provided by the student could not be substantiated and the lockdown was later lifted once the school was determined to be safe. An unloaded pistol magazine was located on a student during an unrelated incident that occurred while officers were on campus. The student was detained and placed under arrest for possessing a firearm magazine on school grounds.

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.

By Allen Payton

The following was posted on the Antioch High School Facebook page late Thursday morning, Feb. 27:

“Good morning,

This is Antioch High School with an important safety announcement. A short time ago, a student reported that he saw a possible weapon on campus. As a precaution the school has been placed on lockdown and police are on campus. We will update you when the lockdown is lifted.

Thank you!”

Then, at about 12:40 p.m. the following was posted:

“THE LATEST NEWS!

This is Antioch High School with an update on this morning’s incident. The lockdown at Antioch High School has been lifted and all students are safe. Earlier this morning, a student reported that he saw a weapon on campus. The school immediately initiated lockdown procedures and notified police. APD did a thorough search of the campus and no weapons were located. However, a student was found to have an empty magazine clip that he reported he had shown to other students.

Thank you for patience as we work to make our school as safe as possible for all students.

Thank you!”

In response, Antioch School Board Trustee said “I am asking (Superintendent) Stephanie (Anello) to fill the School Resource Officer vacancy and meet with the CDE (California Department of Education) Director of School Emergency Planning and Safety. This is unbelievable these incidents keep occurring.”

Investigation continues

By Lieutenant John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, at approximately 9:30 AM, Antioch police officers were called to the Antioch High School campus regarding a physical altercation between two juveniles. During the fight, one of the juveniles brandished a firearm. As the fight continued, the firearm was discharged and fell to the ground. One of the juveniles picked up the firearm and fled on-foot away from the campus. The other involved juvenile also fled off campus. As officers converged on the area, the juvenile who fled with the firearm was located and safely detained. The firearm used in the incident was not located. It was determined that no one was injured as a result of the firearm discharge. (See related article).

During the investigation, all the involved parties were identified. The juvenile that fled with the firearm was booked into the juvenile hall in Martinez. Today, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, the other involved juvenile (who originally brandished the firearm) was safely taken into custody in the City of Brentwood and will be booked in the juvenile hall.

Currently, the investigation is still ongoing. The Antioch Police Department would like to thank the AUSD staff that contributed to a quick response and assisted with the investigation of this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441, or Detective Torres at (925) 779-6925. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Antioch High Principal Louie Rocha sent out a message to parents, that morning:

“Good Morning. This is Louie Rocha, Principal of Antioch High School with an important safety announcement. Earlier this morning, two students were involved in an altercation. During the altercation, a student dropped then retrieved what appeared to be a weapon. Both students fled the campus and APD is currently investigating. All students have returned to class and school has resumed its normal schedule. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.”

Head for round three of playoffs next Wednesday night

By Allen Payton

The BVAL’s top boys’ basketball team from Deer Valley High, beat their first two opponents during the playoffs, this week. The games are a part of the “CIF North Coast Section 2020 Boys’ Basketball Championships – Division 1” tournament.

The Wolverines outscored the Amador Valley Dons 54-45 in Pleasanton during their first playoff game on Tuesday night, Feb. 18. (See game photos, here.)

Deer Valley then faced Heritage High in Brentwood, during the second playoff game, last night, Friday, Feb. 21 and beat the Patriots by a score of 60-42. That avenged their final game loss against Heritage – their only one during regular season – by just two points from a last second shot.

The 19-9 Wolverines will host the 23-5 Granada Matadors for the third-round playoff game on Wednesday night, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. If Deer Valley wins that game, they will go on to play in the championship game against either De La Salle or Monte Vista. Date and time TBA.

Starting March 2nd through March 31, 2020, Tri Delta Transit will begin to accept applications for free bus passes for youth 19 years old and younger and attends a K-12 school in Antioch, Bay Point, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Oakley, and Pittsburg. Eligible students will receive a bus pass good for 20 rides on Tri Delta Transit. You can request passes for up to three students.

1. What is School Pool?

School Pool is a program that encourages students in grades 6-12 to use public transit instead of a car to get to and from school. The Spring 2020 East Contra Costa County School Pool program offers complimentary introductory Tri Delta Transit bus passes for up to three (3) students per household.

2. Eligibility Requirements:

If your child is 19 years of age or younger and attends a K-12 school in the following communities, you are eligible to apply: Antioch, Bay Point, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Oakley, and Pittsburg.

A parent or guardian must complete the application, pledge that their student will ride the bus to and from school instead of being driven by the parent/guardian, and agree to complete a follow-up survey to assess the effectiveness of the School Pool Program.

3. Program Rules:

Complimentary bus passes are available for up to three (3) students per household, while supplies last. Each eligible student will receive a bus pass good for 20 rides on Tri Delta Transit. Bus passes will be mailed to the home address provided on the application within 1-2 weeks of approval. Lost, stolen or damaged bus passes will not be replaced. Falsifying information on the application will disqualify you from School Pool and all other 511Contra Costa programs. School Pool and 511 Contra Costa reserve the right to make changes to program eligibility requirements and program rules at any time without prior notification.

Application period: March 2-31, 2020

For questions about the Spring 2020 East County School Pool program, contact 925-969-0841 Ext. 1004 or info@schoolpool.org.

School Pool is brought to you by 511 Contra Costa and is funded by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority.

Antioch High School Principal Louie Rocha sent out the following message to parents of students about a possible gun incident on campus, Wednesday morning:

“Good Morning. This is Louie Rocha, Principal of Antioch High School with an important safety announcement. Earlier this morning, two students were involved in an altercation. During the altercation, a student dropped then retrieved what appeared to be a weapon. Both students fled the campus and APD is currently investigating. All students have returned to class and school has resumed its normal schedule. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.”

A call has been made to the Antioch Police Media Line for more details. Check back here, later for any updates to this report.

Monday, 2/24/20 UPDATE:

By Lieutenant John Fortner, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, at approximately 9:30 AM, Antioch police officers were called to the Antioch High School campus regarding a physical altercation between two juveniles. During the fight, one of the juveniles brandished a firearm. As the fight continued, the firearm was discharged and fell to the ground. One of the juveniles picked up the firearm and fled on-foot away from the campus. The other involved juvenile also fled off campus. As officers converged on the area, the juvenile who fled with the firearm was located and safely detained. The firearm used in the incident was not located. It was determined that no one was injured as a result of the firearm discharge.

During the investigation, all the involved parties were identified. The juvenile that fled with the firearm was booked into the juvenile hall in Martinez. Today, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, the other involved juvenile (who originally brandished the firearm) was safely taken into custody in the City of Brentwood and will be booked in the juvenile hall.

Currently, the investigation is still ongoing. The Antioch Police Department would like to thank the AUSD staff that contributed to a quick response and assisted with the investigation of this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441, or Detective Torres at (925) 779-6925. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Graphic by Coach Conrad Diaz.

By Luke Johnson 

Lucky number seven is the charm.

After six-straight losing seasons, the boys’ soccer team at Antioch High School reached the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

The Panthers (13-8-1) have a fierce offensive attack with four players finishing in the top eight for goals scored in the Bay Valley Athletic League.

At the top of the list is senior striker Ian Scheringer, who scored 21 goals in 17 matches — far more than anyone else in the league.

However, head coach Conrad Diaz said senior goalkeeper Melvin Morales is the real MVP. Morales is averaging 0.917 goals allowed per game this season.

Diaz said the Panthers are only getting better with the roster full of youth. There are three freshmen currently on the varsity team — one of whom Diaz gave extremely high praise.

“I think he can be the Najee Harris of soccer,” Diaz said.

Freshman midfielder Alvaro Picon only played 11 matches, but made his presence known with eight goals and 11 assists. Picon is also part of the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program — which recruits the highest caliber players around the country to train them to potentially play for the U.S. men’s national team.

The Antioch boys’ soccer program reached the peak of its success a decade ago by winning back-to-back league championships in 2009 and 2010 respectively — the only two BVAL Championships in school history. Shortly thereafter, the Panthers finished seasons with goal differentials of 17-48 (2015) and 25-89 (2016). This season Antioch has a goal differential of 50-20, so far.

The Panthers faced Division I opponents in the Bay Valley Athletic League but, will compete in the Division II bracket of the North Coast Section Playoffs. Diaz said this gives his team an advantage, because his players are battle tested.

Antioch will play at Vallejo High School (17-4-4) in the first round of the playoffs Wednesday evening. Vallejo has a goal differential of 88-29 this season.

“They scored 88 goals, but they beat a team 18-0, and they’re playing Division IV and V teams,” Diaz said.

The furthest Antioch has gone in the NCS Playoffs was the semifinal round in 1995. For Diaz, this his return to the NCS Playoffs after a 45-year hiatus. He last competed in the NCS Playoffs as a player with Mission High School (San Francisco) in 1975.