Antioch police chief criticizes recent rise in gun violence

ANTIOCH – Antioch’s top police officer announced plans Tuesday to put an end to a recent surge in gun violence.

Since Sept. 2, when 21-year-old Elijah Scales was gunned down in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way, 11 shootings have been recorded in the city, Antioch police said in a statement. Eight of the shootings occurred in the past five days.

Acting Police Chief Brian Addington said he has adjusted staffing levels and assigned two officers to patrol the Sycamore Drive corridor for at least the next seven days.

“These efforts are aimed at reducing gun violence and providing a sense of security to the community and local businesses,” he said. “This wave of violence will not be tolerated.”

The shootings may be related to Scales’ death, police said.

The first of the 11 shootings occurred on Sept. 3 at around 7:25 p.m. in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way. At least 32 shots were fired, and a 31-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, police said.

The next day, around 9 p.m., another shooting occurred on the same block of Peppertree Way. No one was injured, but a nearby building was hit by the gunfire.

The third shooting occurred on Sept. 7 at around 9:30 p.m. at the corner of Sycamore Drive and Peppertree Way. Police said a 52-year-old woman was shot in the leg in the parking lot at Sycamore Square.

The fourth, fifth and sixth shootings occurred on September 12. The first was reported around 8:20 p.m. in the 2100 block of Lemontree Way, the second around 8:30 p.m. in the 1000 block of Fitzuren Road and the third around 8:30 p.m. in the 2900 block of Pear Street.

A local resident was grazed by a ricochet bullet during the shooting on Lemontree Way, police said.

The seventh shooting occurred at the corner of Sycamore Drive and Peppertree Way around 9:10 p.m. Sunday. No one was injured, but a nearby home and vehicle were struck by the gunfire.

The last four shootings occurred Monday, police said. The first was reported around 2:40 a.m. in the 600 block of G Street, the second just before 5 p.m. at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, the third around 7:45 p.m. at L Street and William Reed Drive and the fourth around 7:50 p.m. in the 1800 block of Cavallo Road.

A man suffered life-threatening injuries in the shooting at the exhibition center, police said.

Also in critical condition in the Cavallo Road shooting was a 58-year-old man who was attending a memorial service for Scales when at least four shots were fired, police said.

Anyone with information about the shootings should contact Detective Sgt. Bill Whitaker at 925-779-6876 or [email protected].

Check back later for updates.

Originally published: September 17, 2024 at 10:34 p.m.

topicnews · September 18, 2024

Antioch police chief criticizes recent rise in gun violence

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topicnews · September 18, 2024

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