Home Contra Costa County Update: Walnut Creek Murder Suspect Now in Custody

Update: Walnut Creek Murder Suspect Now in Custody

by ECT

After roughly 19-hours, a standoff with a man suspected of shooting and killing a women in Walnut Creek has ended peacefully with the man taken into custody.

On April 27, at 1:30 PM the Walnut Creek Police Department received several reports that a female had been shot in the street i n the 1900 block of 1st Avenue.

Officers arrived on scene two minutes later and found a 47 year-old female, with last known addresses in Martinez and Stockton, had been shot multiple times. Officers and Medical teams provided life saving measures however, the female did not survive her injuries and was pronounced deceased at 1342 hours.

Witnesses stated the suspect, Gregory Prokopowicz, 38, with last known addresses in Martinez and Walnut Creek, had shot the victim, entered a silver Chevy sedan and fled the scene. He headed south on Buena Vista Avenue. Witnesses could only provide a partial license plate at the time.

The suspect abandoned the vehicle on Lynvale Lane and fled on foot. Approximately 60 minutes later, Officers and Detectives located the vehicle on Lynvale Lane. A contingent of SWAT Officers, K9’s, Patrol Officers and a CHP helicopter searched the area. The K9 tracked the scent of the suspect to a residence on San Luis Road. Walnut Creek Police Department set up a perimeter around the house, closed San Luis Road and activated the SWAT Team (Central County SWAT, which is Walnut Creek Police, San Ramon Police, Martinez Police, Pleasant Hill Police and BART Police).

At approximately 6:55 PM, Two Walnut Creek Police Officers spotted the suspect riding in the front passenger seat of a silver Mercedes in Martinez. With the help from Martinez Police Officers they did a high risk traffic stop on Howe Road and Arnold Road. During the traffic stop the driver exited the vehicle and was detained, interviewed and later released.

Subsequently, the suspect put a gun to his head, remained in the vehicle and stated he was going to harm himself. Officers controlled the scene and after approximately twenty minutes they were relieved by Central County SWAT and their negotiators.

Photo provided by Craig Cannon

The negotiations continued throughout the night and are currently occurring. During the negotiations the suspect accidentally fired his handgun through the windshield. No one was hurt due to this firing.

At approximately 2:00 AM, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s SWAT Team relieved Central County SWAT, which is normal in a long term event. Central County SWAT will be taking over the event later this morning. Since the transition the suspect continues to put the gun to his head.

The suspect and the victim knew each other and had a dating relationship. The Walnut Creek Police Department has a homicide warrant for the arrest of the suspect.

At 2:30 pm, Walnut Creek Police reported a peaceful resolution to the standoff in Martinez

If anyone has information regarding this crime please call Walnut Creek Police Department immediately at 925-935-6400 or Detective Greg Leonard at 925-256-3523.

Information provided by both Walnut Creek Police & Martinez Police

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