Coroner's Inquest Reaches Decision In Death Of El Cerrito Man

EL CERRITO, CA — The death of an El Cerrito man in a July 2017 officer-involved shooting in Antioch has been ruled a death at the hands of another person other than by accident, sheriff's officials said.

A jury convened in a coroner's inquest reached that verdict in the death of Zepp McKinley Crouchet, 42, who died July 4 during a gas station robbery in Antioch.

Crouchet allegedly beat and shot to death 57-year-old Mohammad Ataie, who was working at the Valero gas station at 1801 Hillcrest Ave. in Antioch. A police officer who saw Crouchet allegedly robbing the station shot
Crouchet.

Crouchet was found dead near his vehicle in the 100 block of West 20th Street in Antioch the day after the robbery, police said. Officers were able to find the gun Crouchet allegedly used to shoot Ataie at the gas station.

Sheriff's officials said the jury reached its verdict following the testimony of witnesses called by Matthew Guichard, the hearing officer.

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes an inquest in all fatalities involving police, according to sheriff's officials.

The inquest is a public hearing. In each inquest, a jury chooses from four verdicts, which are accident, suicide, natural causes and at the hands of another other than by accident.

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock