Suspect Faces Murder Charge In Slaying, Pleads Not Guilty: Contra Costa County DA

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The suspect arrested in a 2-month manhunt that ended near the California-Mexico border has been charged with the murder.

Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged 22-year-old Zahvon Hopson, of Oakland, in the shooting death of Dimon Lasly Commodore.

Prosecutors say they pieced together a case with surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence before ending with his arrest hundreds of miles away from where Commodore, 20, died. Hopson denied the charges.

Police found Commodore shot Feb. 19 in the 2200 block of Sycamore Drive in Antioch. Police responding to a 911 call at about 7:17 p.m. found her suffering from two gunshot wounds. She died at the scene, according to police.

Prosecutors allege Hopson fled before police arrived and remained at large until San Diego police officers assigned to a Special Investigations Unit arrested him April 10 with assistance from local law enforcement.

Hopson appeared in court Tuesday for arraignment on a three-count criminal complaint charging murder, possession of a firearm by a felon with a prior conviction, and unlawful firearm activity.

Prosecutors added a sentencing enhancement alleging he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury and death.

Hopson pleaded not guilty, denied the charges, and enhancements, and waived his right to a speedy trial, according to a news release from the Contra Costa County district attorney's office.

The unlawful firearm count also includes allegations tied to prior offenses in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, according to the Contra Costa County district attorney's office.

Hopson is at the Martinez Detention Facility on $2.19 million bail. A preliminary hearing date has not yet been set.

Bay City News contributed to this report.
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