Danville Costco Beating: Contra Costa DA Declines To File Charges

DANVILLE, CA — The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office said it will not file charges in a case involving a Danville man claiming he was brutally attacked in the Costco parking lot Sunday morning.

Resident Craig Blackburn told KRON4 and KTVU that a man in the parking lot of the Danville Costco went “ballistic” on him following a dispute over a parking spot. Blackburn said he was on the ground covered in blood, and had to spend six hours in the hospital undergoing X-rays and a CAT scan.

Town spokesperson Jenn Starnes told Patch that officers were dispatched to the parking lot Sunday at 11:23 a.m. on reports of a battery. On Monday, however, “The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case involving the battery between two men that took place. After reviewing the case and the evidence provided as a result of an investigation by the Danville Police Department, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges.”

No arrests have been made so far, according to reports in KRON4 and KTVU.

DA spokesperson Ted Asregadoo told Patch in an email that “what’s been reported by the media and posted on social networking sites does not entirely match the video evidence provided by Danville Police that our office reviewed.”

Asregadoo said he is preparing a news conference soon to explain the charging decision.

The alleged assault took place Sunday morning at the parking lot of the Costco at 3150 Fostoria Way. Blackburn told KRON-4 that he was eating a hot dog while loading his car when a man in a white Toyota Corolla waited for his parking spot. The man reportedly grew impatient, and hurled insults at him.

Blackburn said that even after a spot next to his opened up, the driver continued to wait, though eventually parked elsewhere.

As Blackburn was getting ready to leave, the man said something to him. Blackburn asked him what he said. After that, the man allegedly ripped his glasses off his face, and began to attack him.

Blackburn said he was on the ground, covered in blood, and wailing. Onlookers called 911, and he was treated at a nearby hospital. He also told KRON-4 that he has experienced facial damage, and pain in his knee and shoulder.

Patch has reached out to Blackburn for comment.