ORINDA—Five suspects who were arrested in connection with the Orinda shooting on Halloween night that left five people dead will not be facing any charges. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges against the suspects on Monday, November 18.
On October 31, 10 people were shot at a residence which was rented out via Airbnb, five of the victims died from injuries sustained. Two of the victims were armed gang members. Authorities arrested the suspect after obtaining video evidence from the shooting.
According to the Contra County DA’s Office, there was not strong enough evidence to file charges against the suspects. Officials had 72 hours to file charges.
Jaquez Deshawn Sweeney, 20, was caught on surveillance video entering the party with a gun and was taken into custody. Jason Iles, 20, Lebraun Tyree Wallace, 20, and Joshua Mitchell, 30, were all booked on conspiracy and suspicion of murder. Also charged during the investigation was Devin Williamson, 21, who was charged as an accessory to the crime.
Sweeney, Iles, Mitchell and Williamson were all released from jail on Monday. Wallace still remains in police custody. All five suspects were arrested on a Ramey Warrant, which is an arrest warrant that is signed by a judge and is issued before charges are filed against a suspect.
Authorities are still investigating the case to obtain additional evidence.
“We stand by our investigation and the arrests were made pursuant to a judge’s order. Although the District Attorney may want more investigation done, the persons arrested and responsible for these crimes will ultimately be held to account. The entire investigation is ongoing as is common in these types of complex cases,” said the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in a statement.
