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Home » Fatal Shooting May Have Been Retaliation For June Fight – Concord Man Remains Jailed

Fatal Shooting May Have Been Retaliation For June Fight – Concord Man Remains Jailed

by CLAYCORD.com
13 comments

A fatal shooting Saturday night in San Francisco’s Hunters Point neighborhood may have been in retaliation for a physical altercation that occurred earlier this summer, prosecutors said.

On Thursday, Concord resident Sauntek Harris, 38, made his first court appearance in connection with the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Dietrich Whitley near the corner of Griffith Street and Oakdale Avenue, just outside the Oakdale public housing complex.

Harris has been charged with homicide and being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted on the charges, he could face a minimum of 50 years, according to prosecutors.

During the court appearance, Harris and his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Landon Davis, agreed to have his arraignment put over to next Tuesday and Harris did not enter a plea.

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According to court documents, prior to the shooting, Harris and Whitley had gotten into a fight in the same area on June 10. During the fight, Whitley allegedly punched Harris multiple times and Harris used a knife to defend himself, slashing Whitley in his leg.

Although officers arrested Whitley in connection with the assault, prosecutors discharged the case due to lack of evidence, according to court documents.

Because of that incident, “Harris had a motive to retaliate against the victim in order to save face in the community he lives in,” court documents said.

The night of the fatal shooting, a security guard reported witnessing Whitley walking toward Harris, just outside a community center where Harris works as a life coach. The secutiry guard also said that Whitley, who was known to be armed, was walking with his hand in his pocket, according to court documents.

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As Whitley walked, Harris went in-between two cars to hide. When Whitley came closer, within about three to six feet of Harris, Harris shot Whitley as many as six times, striking his arm and chest, according to court
documents.

The impact caused Whitley to fall into a nearby embankment.

Harris then emerged from in-between the two cars and ran into the community center, court documents said.

Much of the incident was caught on surveillance video.

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Whitley was taken to a hospital where he later died.

In the days after the shooting, Harris didn’t show up for work and investigators were able to eventually identify him as a suspect. On Tuesday, officers arrested him in Concord, police said.

Harris remains in custody and is being held without bail.

13 comments


Kentucky Derby August 16, 2019 - 4:09 PM - 4:09 PM

What a pathetic way to live. Prison will be round two of what they’re currently living. Just show up in court and ask to get this over with. Where do I sign?

RSD August 16, 2019 - 5:29 PM - 5:29 PM

Unfortunate. This is “the lifestyle” many idolize.. What a misguided waste.

Santiago Bailey August 16, 2019 - 9:11 PM - 9:11 PM

This sounds like an interesting trial. I see a lot of room for shadows of doubt for 1st degree. I need more circumstantial information like what brought them together the night of the shooting, was Whitley armed in any way?. Was Harris’s gun legal and when, where and why did you purchase it, and why were you carrying a loaded gun that night? Were you in fear for your life, or were you in fear of your reputation when you decided to use deadly force? Why did you run away? I can’t ask Mr. Whitley any questions obviously…..
Max: 2nd degree 15 to Life
Min: Involuntary Manslaughter 1 to 5
RIP: Mr. Whitley

Chicken Little August 17, 2019 - 7:31 AM - 7:31 AM

If one of the charges is being a felon in possession of a firearm, it’s pretty doubtful that he bought the gun legally.

Javier August 17, 2019 - 1:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Its cut and dry first degree murder while lying in wait. He hid between two cars and waithed for the other guy to walk closer to him. He shot him six times so clearly he intended to kill him not just hurt him. This guy is likely getting life without.

Curious George August 16, 2019 - 11:04 PM - 11:04 PM

Life coach?!!
Oh Really now…

Notwhite August 17, 2019 - 9:57 AM - 9:57 AM

Not all life coaching us positive. Maybe he was coaching young urban men into becoming criminals.

John P August 17, 2019 - 9:23 AM - 9:23 AM

Guilty without any doubt merits the death penalty (without appeal). Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt deserves life without parole. Enough coddling of scum bags who refuse to abide by the law.

Darwin August 17, 2019 - 9:36 AM - 9:36 AM

Gavin Newscum repealed the death penalty after voters approved it.

Led August 17, 2019 - 12:32 PM - 12:32 PM

Some life coach. I’m also curious about the security guard who saw the ambush but couldn’t warn the target. To be fair, who knows how obvious it was as it unfolded. He may be blameless.

Art August 17, 2019 - 1:32 PM - 1:32 PM

Probably gave him Bammer weed.

Frank August 18, 2019 - 7:29 PM - 7:29 PM

So a life coach commits murder in retaliation for a fist fight that he himself escalated by using a knife then returns later and shoots the guy 6 times. He was a felon working as a life coach and was able to obtain a firearm. It’s a felony for a felon to even touvch a firearm. “Because of that incident, “Harris had a motive to retaliate against the victim in order to save face in the community he lives in,” court documents said.” Apparently this guy lives in a community of morons.

Gittyup August 18, 2019 - 9:53 PM - 9:53 PM

A life coach? Wonder what kind of advice he was handing out. Somebody better check on his coachees.


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