After an extensive investigation, the Antioch Police Department has solved the homicide of Raheem Coe, a 48-year-old Antioch resident who was found deceased near the Country Hills Drive area on May 15, 2024.
Through the processing of evidence, witness interviews, and the review of video surveillance, detectives identified Ronald Benjamin Jackson III as the suspect in this homicide. Jackson is currently in custody at San Quentin State Prison on unrelated charges.
The case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, which has filed charges against Jackson for PC 187 – Homicide, PC 207(a) – Kidnapping, and PC 422 – Criminal Threats. Jackson will be transferred to the Martinez Detention Facility pending future court proceedings.
- FILE: 24-004178
- INCIDENT: Homicide
- DATE OF INCIDENT: May 15,
- 2024 TIME OF INCIDENT: 07:19 am
- LOCATION: 2200 Block of Country Hills Drive
- VICTIM: Raheem Coe (48-year-old male)
- SUSPECT(S): Ronald Benjamin Jackson III (23-year-old male)
Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or by email at jcox@antiochca.gov.
Editors Note: Going back to December 2022, Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton declined to file charges on Jackson in Fatal Shooting on Contra Loma Blvd in Antioch — see full story below.
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Update: Deceased Man on Antioch Sidewalk Now Homicide Case
On May 15, 2024, at approximately 7:19 AM, Antioch police officers responded to the 2200 block of Country Hills Drive to assist Contra Costa Fire on a reported male down on the sidewalk possibly in need of medical attention.
According to police, they say no gunshots or stab wounds were located on the male, however, they did observe blunt force trauma. No other information was released on scene.
Police say when officers arrived, they located a deceased male. The cause of death is unknown and this is the third suspicious death on the year.
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation. The cause of death is pending an autopsy from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released.
- FILE: 24-004178
- INCIDENT: Suspicious Death
- DATE OF INCIDENT: May 15, 2024
- TIME OF INCIDENT: 07:19 am
- LOCATION: 2200 Block of County Hills Drive
- VICTIM(S): Unknown Male
- SUSPECT: Unknown
The Antioch Police detectives are asking the public for assistance. If you happened to of driven through the area between last night and this morning and have dash camera video, please contact Detective John Cox.
Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925)481-8147 or by emailing jcox@antiochca.gov. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.
In a separate fatal shooting 2-years earlier:
December 2022: District Attorney Issues Statement on Charges in Chevron Fatal Shooting
On Thursday, Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton issued a statement after her office chose not to file murder charges against a man who shot and killed a Chevron store clerk in the city of Antioch.
The Antioch Police Department say the incident occurred on November 26 at 2:05 am and called it a “botched robbery” that turned into a gunfight in the parking lot of Chevron which left store clerk James Williams dead and Ronald Benjamin Jackson, III wounded.
Jackson showed up at a house on Seville Circle where a resident advised someone had been shot there. Police said Jackson was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition. The second suspect is not in custody nor has been identified.
Police said they presented this case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, and he has been charged with robbery, possession of stolen property, and a firearm enhancement.
D.A. Becton’s Statement on the Charging Decision of Ronald Benjamin Jackson, III
The family, friends, and loved ones of James Williams are understandably devastated by the shocking news of his death in a gun battle at the Chevron station in Antioch on November 26th — where he worked as a store clerk. Our sympathies and condolences go out to those closest to him.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office declined to file murder charges in this case solely on a legal and factual determination — and not an elective, optional, or discretionary one. It was based upon an established law that clearly states a person cannot pursue another to retrieve stolen property once the threat of bodily injury or harm to the victim has subsided.
The video evidence of the incident clearly shows Ronald Benjamin Jackson, III, and another suspect exiting the Chevron station convenience store after the robbery and running from the scene. Mr. Williams is also seen in the video footage leaving the Chevron station store with a firearm while running after the robbers. Mr. Williams then fired upon Mr. Jackson, hitting him in the leg while he was fleeing and causing him to fall to the ground. Mr. Williams continued to approach Mr. Jackson with his firearm pointing at him when Mr. Jackson fired shots at Williams hitting him twice. Once in the chest and in the leg.
In the eyes of the law, Mr. Williams’ actions ceased to be self-defense when Mr. Williams pursued Mr. Jackson and the other suspect with a firearm — and continued to pursue Mr. Jackson after he shot him.
The legal distinction is clear: when your property and life are being threatened, an individual is legally justified in using deadly force in self-defense. However, once the threat of harm has dissipated, the victim of a property crime cannot then use deadly force to reclaim stolen property.
However, the reality of Mr. Williams’ tragic death will be a substantial factor in the DA’s position in asking for greater penalties in the sentencing of the defendants.
Diana Becton,
District Attorney of Contra Costa County.