26-year-old accused of shooting at first responders in Antioch arrested with death of another man

ANTIOCH, Calif. - The suspect in a drive-by shooting that wounded a firefighter and a paramedic in Antioch is also accused in the slaying of a man found shot to death in a home. Now authorities are searching for the suspect’s child and the child’s mother, who they say could be in danger.

Darryon Williams, 26, was arrested in Richmond after a police chase late Saturday, the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

A firefighter and a paramedic suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds in the drive-by Saturday evening while responding to a call in Antioch. The firefighter was shot in the foot. 

"They were very fortunate," said Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Capt. Joe Ottolini said. "The injuries could have been much more serious."

Contra Costa County sheriff's deputies chased the stolen SUV they say Williams was driving after he also allegedly robbed a Quik Mart. They didn't catch him until he crashed his car into a parked car in Richmond.

After Williams’ arrest, officers carried out a welfare check on a home in nearby Discovery Bay. Michael Iliff, 64, was found dead inside with apparent gunshot wounds, authorities said. Williams was named a suspect in the death.

Williams was questioned and then booked into jail on an $11 million bail, the sheriff’s office said. He’s been arrested in connection with count of murder and ten counts of attempted murder. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney who could comment on his behalf. He has not yet been charged by the Contra Costra County District Attorney's Office. 

The sheriff’s office was also looking for Williams’ 4-year-old son and the child’s mother, 31-year-old Kimberly Meeks, stating that detectives have concerns about the pair’s safety.

Authorities said a gunman twice drove by a restaurant where a man had come in asking for help and fired at people before speeding away Saturday night. He was captured after a chase reaching 100 mph per hour ended in a crash. Antioch police posted photos of bullet holes in a patrol vehicle and an ambulance.

"I was shocked and definitely concerned," said Vincent Wells, United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County. "It's not typical that unarmed firefighters and paramedics are shot at." 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story incorrectly stated that Williams had been charged. The District Attorney has yet to receive the case.