Newark, California (Friday, April 28, 2023)  

On Thursday, April 13, 2023, officers from the Newark Police Department and Fremont Police Department were involved in an Officer-Involved-Shooting (OIS) in the 39000 block of Cedar Boulevard. The initial details can be found here: http://local.nixle.com/alert/10034527/  
 
The suspect vehicle was initially carjacked on February 14, 2023, at approximately 8:00 a.m. in the 5700 block of Thornton Avenue in Newark. The victim was dropping their child off for school when a suspect approached the vehicle armed with a knife. A teenage victim who was inside the vehicle was forced out at knife point and the suspect fled the scene in the vehicle.  
 
On Thursday, April 13, 2023, at approximately 3:20 p.m. the suspect returned to Newark in the vehicle that was carjacked on February 14, 2023. The suspect and an associate were located with the vehicle at 4:46 p.m. and a high-risk stop was conducted by officers. While attempting to take the suspect into custody, officers observed what appeared to be a firearm in the suspect's waistband. The suspect ignored officers’ commands, withdrew the perceived firearm, and an OIS occurred. Officers immediately rendered aid and summoned emergency medical personnel, but the suspect did not survive. The associate was transported to a local area hospital and was released shortly after with minor injuries. The firearm was later determined to be a full metal airsoft replica of a Berretta M9 pistol (photo evidence of recovered item below).  
 
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), the California Department of Justice (DOJ) California Police Shooting Investigation Team is investigating and independently reviewing the OIS. Additionally, Newark Police Department Detectives are continuing to actively investigate this case. Per protocol, an independent investigation is being conducted the Newark Police Department’s Professional Standards and Training Unit. 
 
The Newark Police Department and Fremont Police Department are currently working on an in-depth detailed release of information to include video evidence of the incident and the related crimes. 
 
Suspect: 
Elmer Lopez-Castaneda, 19-year-old male, resident of Newark 
Involved Newark Police Officer: 
Agent Trevor Damewood, 5 years of service with the Newark Police Department, assigned to the Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force 
Involved Fremont Police Officers: 
Detective Anthony Piol, 11 years of service with the Fremont Police Department, assigned to the Investigations Unit
Detective Jesse Hartman, 11 years of service with the Fremont Police Department, assigned to the Investigations Unit
Agent Thomas Degenstein, 5 years of service with the Fremont Police Department, assigned to the Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force 
 
If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact the Newark Police Department Investigations Sergeant Yama Homayoun at 510.578.4920 or [email protected]. Information can be left anonymously on the “Anonymous Tip” hotline at 510.578.4965. 
  
Community Engagement Manager Jada Chiu will be the point of contact for media inquiries. She can be reached via email at [email protected] or contacted by phone at 510.578.4929.  
 
For more information on AB 1506 visit https://oag.ca.gov/ois-incidents. Additional AB 1506 related questions please contact the Attorney General’s Office, (916) 210-6000, [email protected].