District Attorney Declines To File Charges Against Orinda Man In Connection With Self-Defense Fatal Shooting

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file charges against an Orinda resident in connection with the fatal shooting of a man who physically attacked him during a road rage incident. The incident occurred on September 12, 2024, in Orinda. An individual was driving on St. Stephens Drive when he encountered a Toyota 4Runner driven by 50-year-old Scott Decker. The driver passed the 4Runner – which was moving slowly and moving off to the right side of the road — but Decker responded by pulling in front of the driver’s car and blocking his path.
Decker then exited his vehicle and punched the driver three times in the face while the driver was sitting in his vehicle. In response to the attack, the driver, a registered gun owner with a concealed carry permit, retrieved a handgun and fired a single shot, striking Decker in the neck. Emergency responders arrived and attempted lifesaving measures, but Decker died at the scene. The entire incident was captured on video by a camera in the driver’s vehicle, which he consented to provide to law enforcement. After a thorough review of the evidence and the circumstances of the assault on the driver, the District Attorney’s Office concluded that no charges will be filed in this case.