Armed gunman shot by police

by Andrea Smith , July 6, 2012

ANTIOCH – The Country Hills neighborhood was relatively quiet this 4^th of July, where a 35-year-old barber was killed by police last Thursday.

“Rest in Paradise Cousin Denny” and “In Loving Memory of Denny, aka Denny the Barber,” were messages written on poster board, along with flowers and candles that decorated the driveway in the 4800 block of Lefebvre Way.

No one was at the home where Denny Gonzales lost his life, and several neighbors were hushed about the incident, not offering much detail. One neighbor, who said she was a babysitter, had been asked by police to take her kids inside the house.

“About an hour later I heard about 10 shots,” she said. She didn’t know the victim personally but was familiar with the yellow Corvette he drove.

After a call was made by Gonzales to dispatch, he reportedly threatened to take his own life and possibly an officer.

“(Gonzales) a distraught 35 year old male stated he was going to kill himself, another officer, or he may have already killed a police officer,” in a statement provided by Lt. Diane Aguinaga of the Antioch Police Department.

Once officers arrived, Gonzales came out of his garage and down the driveway holding a firearm. Officers asked Gonzales to put the gun down, but Gonzales shot at least one round at officers and consequentially officers shot back, according to reports. Gonzales was pronounced dead at the scene.

“You will be missed always gone but not forgotten,” one message read. “They always say the young die early it wasn’t your time cousin but know you’re resting easy makes my heart settle.”