Photo: Looking down Santa Fe Avenue
MARTINEZ – Contra Costa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of what at first was deemed an accidental shooting last Saturday night. However, it appears the victim may have been murdered.
A 911 caller requested medical help on December 9 because someone had just been shot at a residence located on Santa Fe Avenue in an unincorporated area of Martinez.
Responding deputies arrived at the home at approximately 8:30 p.m., where they found a woman close to death—suffering from a gunshot wound. Deputies administered first aid trying to save her life, but she was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived.
The victim has been identified as Juanita Buechner, a 58-year-old resident of Pacheco. However, Buechner formerly lived on Santa Fe Avenue in Martinez.
Based on their preliminary investigation and interviews with witnesses, detectives doubted that Buechner was accidentally shot.
The following day deputies arrested 57-year-old Concord resident Anthony Shepherd on suspicion of Buechner’s homicide.
Shepherd was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility, charged with murder, and felony possession of a firearm by addict. Bail was set at $2,050,000 for Shepherd’s release from the county jail.
The investigation remains open and anyone with information is asked to contact the county sheriff’s office at 925-313-2600, or leave an anonymous message at 866-846-3592.
