Julie Brown

Homicide suspect arrested

Richmond police arrested a suspect Tuesday night in the shooting death of Isaiah Thomas last week. Jafari Sargent, a 30-year-old Richmond resident, turned himself in around 8 p.m. at the Richmond Police Department, Detective Nicole Abetkov said. Sargent and Thomas were cousins, Abetkov said. Eyewitnesses described the shooting, which resulted from an escalating argument between the two of them, Abetkov said. The witnesses identified Sargent to the police, who then put a warrant out for his arrest, Abetkov said. “Having…

Richmond man shot, killed near Iron Triangle

A 27-year-old man was shot and killed Wednesday night near the Iron Triangle on the 600 block of 17th street. The Contra Costa County Coroner’s office confirmed the victim as Richmond resident Isaiah Thomas, Jr. A woman called 911 around 9:30 p.m. to report the incident. After arriving at the scene, Fire Department personnel performed CPR on the victim, who had been shot once in the chest, Richmond Police Detective Nicole Abetkov said. The victim was pronounced dead at the…

Contra Costa tables controversial jail expansion

Contra Costa officials announced at an emotionally-charged meeting Thursday morning that they would postpone a decision to build more jail beds and instead look into alternative solutions to reduce prison populations, a move that was applauded by Richmond residents, nonprofits, faith leaders, and government groups. Buses drove Richmond leaders and residents to the meeting at the county probation department in Martinez early Thursday morning. At the meeting, public attendants held signs stating “Invest in people, not prisons” and “Stop honoring…

Jail expansion, bail reform on table for $19 million realignment funding

Contra Costa County officials are expected to vote tomorrow morning on how to spend a $19 million grant from the state to help deal with crowded county prisons. The funding follows the state’s decision last year to transfer responsibility for many non-violent offenders to local agencies. Members of the Contra Costa County Community Corrections Partnership have come up with several options for spending the money. Part of it, County Sheriff David Livingston and Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus agreed, should…