Martinez, Vallejo Pair Accused In Orinda Halloween Shooting

MARTINEZ, CA — A Martinez man and a Vallejo man were both booked Thursday into Contra Costa County jail in Martinez on suspicion of charges related to the deadly mass shooting Halloween night at an Orinda house rented on Airbnb. Five people were killed and at least nine others were injured in the horrific melee on Lucille Way.

Domico Michael Dones, 29, of Martinez, and Frederick Johnson, 29, of Vallejo, were taken into custody as a result of warrants served at 7 a.m. Thursday by Contra Costa County sheriff's investigators and federal agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — ATF — a spokesman for the sheriff's office said Friday evening.

Dones and Johnson were both booked into the Martinez jail "on charges related to the Orinda shooting," Sheriff's Spokesman Jimmy Lee said in a news release.

As of Friday, Dones was being held in lieu of $300,000 bail and Johnson in lieu of $75,000 bail, Lee said.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office also issued a news release late Friday, stating it has filed two felony charges against Dones: felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of ammunition.

"... Dones was arrested by the sheriff’s office for being in possession of a Glock 22. 40 Caliber handgun with a laser scope and ammunition in his possession," said Scott Alonso, spokesman for the Office of Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton. "The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) San Francisco Field Division also assisted in the arrest of Dones."

Dones, who has a criminal record having been convicted for second-degree robbery in Santa Clara County, is scheduled to appear in court Monday for arraignment, Alonso said.

Alonso did not provide comment on Johnson or his arrest, but said Dones was not one of five suspects arrested by the sheriff's office last week on suspicion of being involved in the shooting.

All five of those suspects were released from custody earlier this week after the DA's Office did not file formal charges, citing the need for more information.

"Due to the sensitive nature of the Orinda investigation, no further details will be released regarding Dones in connection with the incident," Alonso said Friday.

ATF Spokeswoman Alexandria Corneiro did say that while executing the warrants Thursday, ATF agents seized a gun that was linked through ballistics testing to multiple other shootings in the Bay Area.

In the Orinda shooting, gunfire broke out shortly before 11 p.m. Oct. 31 during a large Halloween party being held in a 4,000-square-foot home at 114 Lucille Way.

Police said that when they arrived, more than 100 people were trying to flee the premises.

Three people were already dead. Two others died after they were taken to a hospital. Three more were taken to a hospital with injuries.

Police said after the shooting that they were unsure how many people might have been injured and taken themselves to a hospital. ATF officials said Thursday that a total of nine people had been wounded in addition to the five who died.

According to Lee, detectives not only with the sheriff's office and ATF, but multiple law enforcement agencies "have worked continuously on the investigation into the shooting."

Anyone with information about the case is asked to please call the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at 925-313-2600, send an email to tips@so.cccounty.us, or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

The ATF announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to arrests in the case. Anyone with information has been asked to call 888-ATF-TIPS or the sheriff's office at 925-313-2600.

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Bay City News Service contributed to this report.