2 Arrests Made In Fatal Lamorinda Roadway Shooting

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Two arrests were made Wednesday in connection with the March 23 killing of a 2o-year-old man near Lafayette, the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday in a news release.

Deputies served arrest warrants at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at a home in the 4800 block of Vinewood Way in Antioch and took Don-Juan Watson, 19, of Antioch/San Francisco, and 20-year-old Jalin Washington, 20, of San Francisco, into custody without incident, sheriff's office Spokesperson Jimmy Lee said.

The two are suspected in connection with the fatal shooting of Basel Jilani, a Lafayette resident, in an unincorporated area of the county at Taylor Road and Gloria Terrace, Lee said.

The shooting was initially believed to be linked to a road rage incident. It is now believed that Jilani was chased by Washington and Watson after they spotted him driving a high-end Mercedes-Benz on the freeway in Concord, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office said Thursday.

"Jilani tried to elude his pursuers but crashed his vehicle on Taylor Boulevard near the border between Pleasant Hill and Lafayette," DA's Office Spokesman Ted Asregadoo said. "He was shot, killed, and robbed of his Rolex watch."

Deputies responded around 1 p.m. March 23 to find Jilani on the ground, with bystanders attempting life-saving measures. He died at the scene.

Homicide detectives worked continuously on the case to identify the two suspects, who are also believed to be linked to robberies in the Bay Area, Lee said.

Watson was booked into the county jail in Martinez on suspicion of homicide, two counts of robbery, and conspiracy.

Washington was booked into the Martinez jail on suspicion of homicide, two counts of robbery, conspiracy, burglary, felon in possession of a firearm, and allowing someone to discharge a firearm from his vehicle.

Watson and Washington were both being held without bail as of Thursday.

According to the DA's Office, Watson and Washington are known members of the Tre-4 street gang. They and a third suspect, Amir Anderson-Roof, all face charges on suspicion of a series of crimes that include the killing of Jilani.

The investigation was continuing; the sheriff's office asked anyone with information to call the Investigation Division at 925-313-2600 or Dispatch at 925-646-2441. Tipsters can send an email to tips@so.cccounty.us or leave an anonymous voicemail message by calling 866-846-3592.