2 suspects held on $2 million bail for man's shooting death in El Sobrante

EL SOBRANTE, Calif. (KTVU) - Sheriff's deputies have arrested two suspects in connection with a fatal shooting Wednesday night in the El Sobrante area of unincorporated Contra Costa County, sheriff's officials announced Thursday afternoon. 

The shooting occurred on the 4800 block of San Pablo Dam Road at 10:45 p.m., according to investigators. An autopsy conducted this morning determined that the gunshot wound caused his death.

Anthony Gaines, a 22-year-old resident of Richmond, and Judy Barkas, a 57-year-old resident of El Sobrante, have both been booked into jail on suspicion of homicide and are being held on $2 million bail. 

Investigators don’t know if the 22-year-old victim was shot inside one of the three homes off this driveway, or shot outside. But his body was found outside on a private, gravel driveway.

Deputies attempted CPR on the victim, but their efforts were unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead on the scene. 

A sergeant told KTVU that a gun was recovered on the property but they do not know if it was the gun used in the shooting.

No motive was revealed and no one has been arrested.

All the neighbors we spoke with asked we not share their identity. 

One neighbor across the street said she heard multiple gunshots when this happened. At least five neighbors described the property in question as a "problem area." People said they were saddened, but not surprised since police have been in the area about once a month on average. 

"I was feeding my baby and I hear a couple of shots and I was like what's going on? I didn't go out because it wasn't safe to go out," said another neighbor. 

Deputies used a drone in their investigation but wouldn't say why. Deputies would not confirm it, but neighbors said  there's a lot of drug-related crimes happen here. 

One person said just last week, a man was shot by a high-powered pellet gun on this same property. With the latest incident resulting in a homicide, some residents said they're now considering moving. 

"I just don't feel safe here anymore. I moved here because it's supposed to be safe but I guess I was wrong," said one of the residents.

The homicide remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the slaying is asked to call the sheriff's office at (925) 313-2600.  

Bay City News service contributed to this report