Antioch Police Say Homicide Suspect Who Shot and Killed Teen Still Outstanding

On Tuesday, the Antioch Police Department provided an update in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old male on Williamson Ranch Park on December 17.

The victim of this tragic event was Thomas Smith, and he was 16 years old. He was identified by a family member who arrived on scene. He was from Louisiana and was in the City of Antioch visiting family.

The 15-year-old juvenile that was detained in Walmart was an acquaintance of Mr. Smith’s and was arrested for charges unrelated to the homicide. Police said in their original release, the juvenile was in possession of a loaded firearm.

The homicide suspect remains outstanding, and this incident is still being investigated by our Investigations Bureau.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441, or Detective Cox at 925-779-6866. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Note: As of December 27, Antioch has 9 homicides on the year.

Original UPDATE via Antioch Police Department

Caution Tape On 12/17/22, at approximately 11:22 AM, the Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center started receiving numerous 9-1-1 calls reporting multiple gunshots being fired, at Williamson Ranch Park, located at 5000 Lone Tree Way.

As officers were responding to the scene, witnesses called to report a subject running from the park and entering the near-by Walmart. Additional officers immediately responded to the Walmart, and with the
assistance of several citizens, were able to quickly locate and safely detain the subject. The subject was determined to be a juvenile and in possession of a loaded firearm.

When officers arrived at the park, they located one male juvenile victim near the parking lot suffering from several gunshot wounds. Evidence at the scene indicated the incident occurred outdoors in the east portion of the parking lot.

Officers immediately began administering first aid and called for emergency fire department and AMR paramedics. The victim was transported to a local area hospital emergency room, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Prior to police arrival, a dark colored sedan was seen leaving the parking lot of the park at a high rate of speed. During the preliminary investigation, it appears the victim, and the subject detained at the Walmart, arrived together on-foot, and met with the occupants of a dark colored sedan in the parking lot.

Shortly afterwards, multiple shots were fired from, and/or around, the dark colored sedan. Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators, and detectives with the Violent Crimes and Special Operations Units, responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

FILE: 22-9120
INCIDENT: Homicide – Shooting
DATE OF INCIDENT: December 17, 2022
TIME OF INCIDENT: 11:22 AM
LOCATION: 5000 Lone Tree Way (Williamson Ranch Park)
VICTIM(S): Male Juvenile, 16 years-old (Deceased)
SUSPECT(S): Unknown

Currently, detectives are interviewing witnesses and residents in the area and are working to identify any suspects or persons-of-interest. The investigation is still active, and evidence is being collected.

Known 2022 Shootings