Antioch Police Identify Suspect Who Shot Officer in the Head

On Wednesday, the Antioch Police Department identified Mario Serrano, 25 of Antioch, as the suspect who was arrested for shooting at two Antioch Police Officers, injuring one of them, on May 4.

Photo by Teresa Dye‎

According to Antioch Police Sergeant Tom Fuhrmann, Officer Thomas Smith was injured by the gunfire from Serrano and has subsequently recovered from his injuries. Officer Scott Duggar was also fired upon by Serrano, but was not struck. Both Officers returned fire before Serrano ran out of ammunition and surrendered to the officers.

Serrano was not struck by the officers returning fire.

Serrano has also been tied to a May 4 shooting at McDonalds on Mahogany Way where he reportedly shot into the business with a shotgun, shattering several windows, and then fled in a white Chevrolet truck. A male inside the business was struck by the gunfire, but suffered only minor injuries.

About 15 minutes later, Pittsburg Police was notified of a shooting into a residence in the 1200 block of Beacon Street.

Police determined through shared information that these two incidents were more than likely related. Antioch officers located the suspect’s girlfriend and confirmed she was employed at the McDonalds on Mahogany Way and has relatives who live at the home on Beacon Street. She was safe and unharmed, and was not at either location at the time of the shootings. Information obtained from this interview suggests the motive of these shootings was a domestic dispute.

Original Antioch Police Press Release

On May 4, 2016 at about 5:52 pm, Antioch Police were notified of a carjacking that took place in Bay Point. In that case, a victim reported to Contra Costa Sheriff’s deputies that a Hispanic male armed with a shotgun had just stolen his black BMW and was last seen heading eastbound towards Pittsburg/Antioch.

At about 6:11 pm, an Antioch officer spotted a black BMW being driven by a Hispanic male in the area of W. 10th Street and Verne Roberts Circle. The suspect vehicle fled from the officer and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended when the suspect crashed the BMW at the intersection of E. Leland Road and Loveridge Road.

File Photo

As officers approached, the suspect began shooting and struck one officer. Officers returned fire. The suspect was not hit but surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect is not being identified at this time.

The officer was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries and subsequently released. The officer is not being identified at this time.

This case is being jointly investigated along with the Contra Costa County DA’s Office, the Contra Costa Crime Lab, and Pittsburg PD.

No further information is being released at this time.

May 5 Press Release: Serrano Also Tied to McDonald’s Shooting, Carjacking

Yesterday morning at about 10:51 am, Antioch officers were dispatched to the McDonalds on Mahogany Way on a report of shots fired. Officers at this scene learned that a Hispanic male shot into the business with a shotgun, shattering several windows, and then fled in a white Chevrolet truck. A male inside the business was struck by the gunfire, but suffered only minor injuries.

About 15 minutes later, Pittsburg Police was notified of a shooting into a residence in the 1200 block of Beacon Street. Witnesses said a Hispanic male fired at least one shot from a shotgun into a front window of a house at this location, and then fled in a white Chevrolet truck. Officers from both jurisdictions began working together and were able to identify a suspect.

They also determined through shared information that these two incidents were more than likely related. Antioch officers located the suspect’s girlfriend and confirmed she was employed at the McDonalds on Mahogany Way and has relatives who live at the home on Beacon Street. She was safe and unharmed, and was not at either location at the time of the shootings. Information obtained from this interview suggests the motive of these shootings was a domestic dispute.

At 5:51 pm, Antioch officers were notified of a carjacking report taken by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Initial information was that this carjacking took place in Bay Point, but it was later learned it actually took place just off of Highway 4 near the Martinez/Crockett area.

In this case, a Hispanic male pointed a shotgun at the 17 year old victim and stole his 1998 BMW. The responsible left behind a white Chevrolet truck, and was last seen heading eastbound toward Pittsburg/Antioch. It does not appear this victim has any ties to the suspect or the domestic dispute.‎

At 6:11 pm an Antioch officer spotted the carjacked BMW, which lead to the pursuit, crash, and exchange of gunfire between the suspect and officers at the intersection of E. Leland Road and Loveridge Road. The suspect was taken into custody when he dropped the shotgun and surrendered to officers. He was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for attempted murder of two police officers.

One of the officers on scene was shot in the head during the exchange of gunfire, but his injuries were not life-threatening. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and has since been released. The officer is currently doing well and expected to make a full recovery.

“There is still significant work to be done on this case, and a number of interviews that need to be conducted. Because of this, we are not yet releasing the name of the suspect or officers involved,” said Captain Brooks.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.