Safety

Two suspects charged with first-degree murder in killing of Javier Campos

Ismael Carrillo and Erika Carrillo were charged in a Richmond court Friday with first-degree murder in the killing of Javier Campos. Campos was shot and killed on Sept. 1 in the Taco Bell parking lot at 23rd Street and Barrett Avenue around 8:30 p.m. following a family dispute, said Richmond Police Department spokesperson Detective Nicole Abetkov. Ismael Carrillo was arrested shortly following the shooting. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Erika Carillo on Tuesday, and Abetkov said Carillo…

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…

New court budget could eliminate Richmond truancy program

A budget that the Contra Costa Superior Court will consider adopting Friday would close six courtrooms, including the Juvenile Law Courtroom in Richmond. For the 2012-2013 fiscal year, more than $7 million is estimated to be cut from the county court’s budget.

Family remembers homicide victim, Javier Campos, as a ‘good man’

The first time Javier Campos saw his sister Barbara Rojas’s new house—just a couple of weeks ago — he pulled up and said, “Oh this is perfect.” Perfect, for BBQs, for big family get-togethers, for the kids. In short, perfect for Campos’ favorite pastime—hanging out with the people he loved. Barbara said her brother had big plans for a Labor Day barbecue at her house. But just days before the party, on Sept. 1, he was shot and killed during…

El Cerrito Gauchos declaw Kennedy Eagles

In a game that will be remembered more for its significance as a memorial to a lost player than as a high stakes varsity football encounter, the El Cerrito Gauchos beat the Kennedy Eagles 64-8 in Richmond last night, challenging a team still reeling from the death of offensive lineman Ulises Grijalva, who was shot and killed near his home on August 5. “We tried to play in his honor, and this is not the outcome we wanted,” Kennedy Head…

Kennedy High Eagles honor slain football player Ulises Grijalva

Kennedy High football coach Mack Carminer walked slowly to the 50-yard line on Friday — minutes before the team’s first home game — to hold a brief ceremony in honor of “a fallen soldier.” Followed by members of the school administration Carminer carried the framed Eagles jersey of Ulises Grijalva, a player who was killed on August 5. Taking the microphone, Carminer bowed his head and called for a moment of silence. The sound of teenagers’ laughter and teasing that…

RPD discrimination lawsuit prepares for Federal Court

Five months after a jury cleared Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus of racial discrimination allegations, the case is now set to reappear in federal court in November. The plaintiffs — seven prominent African-American police officers — originally filed a suit in 2007 that alleged that Magnus discriminated by race when choosing officers for promotion. In April a jury cleared the chief, deputy chief and city of any wrongdoing. But immediately after the verdict, plaintiff’s attorney Stephan Jaffe said that his…

Richmond sees decrease in violent crime

The number of homicides in Richmond this year rose to 14 on Saturday when a deadly shooting occurred in the Taco Bell parking lot on 23rd St. and Barrett Ave. Richmond Police spokeswoman, Detective Nicole Abetkov, said the victim was shot in the abdomen and died later at the hospital as a result of his injuries. The Contra Costa County Coroner’s office confirmed the identity of the victim as Javier Campos, 38, of Richmond.

“Homicides are down over 40% already,” said Richmond Police Captain Mark Gagan, cautioning that in the face of Campos’ murder just days earlier that statistic holds little comfort.