An explosive device was thrown at the Antioch home of a man whose racist rant went viral online.
The device — initially believed to be a large firework — detonated at the Lake Alhambra-area property before Antioch Police officers were called at 10:11 a.m. Monday, according to the Antioch Herald. The blast caused minor damage to the residence, but no injuries were reported.
The Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad responded to assist with the investigation as officers secured the scene and began gathering evidence. Police have not confirmed whether the explosion was retaliation for the viral videos, but they are examining whether it was connected to the surge in social media attention surrounding the July incidents.
The blast came just one day after Antioch police issued a public warning urging residents not to resort to vigilante justice. The department said Sunday it was aware of the videos showing a resident yelling and making racist comments, and asked the public to stand down.
“We understand that these videos may be upsetting to our community,” the department wrote in its statement. “We ask everyone to please allow our investigators to do their job and not take matters into your own hands or harass, threaten, or confront anyone involved.”
Officers have interviewed witnesses and are reviewing surveillance footage from the neighborhood as they pursue several leads. The identity of the person who threw the device remains unknown, and no arrests have been made in connection with Monday’s explosion.
The controversy surrounding the home dates back to July, when the man seen making racist comments was first arrested, according to Lt. Bill Whitaker. Police said one incident linked to the residence — which recently drew significant online attention — went through the courts and resulted in a restraining order being issued.
A separate incident involving another victim led to the same suspect being arrested over an alleged civil rights violation and battery. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office later filed misdemeanor charges alleging a civil rights violation and simple battery. The criminal case remains pending.
In the viral moment that sparked the backlash, videos of the resident yelling and making racist comments spread across social media platforms, drawing intense attention online. The footage showed the man engaged in an unhinged rant, spewing racial slurs at neighbors. The clips circulated widely, prompting outrage from viewers who identified the Lake Alhambra-area home and called for action against the man.
The July arrest and subsequent restraining order had largely faded from public attention until the videos resurfaced and gained new traction online. The renewed interest prompted Antioch police to issue their Sunday warning, acknowledging the community’s anger while insisting that justice should be left to the legal system.
The suspect’s pending misdemeanor charges for civil rights violation and simple battery remain active in the Contra Costa County court system. Police have not released additional details about the status of that case or any upcoming court dates for the man.