Suspect Arrested for Attempted Murder Near Oakley – Victim in Critical Condition
By Jim Emerson
OAKLEY, CA — Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested James O’Bryan, 60, on suspicion
of attempted murder of a victim in critical condition. O’Bryan was booked into the Martinez Detention
on April 21, where he remains in custody in lieu of $800,000 bond, pending arraignment.
O’Bryan allegedly shot a man on the 3300 block of Wells Road, a rural area outside the city limits of
Oakley. O’Bryan lives nearby in unincorporated Contra Costa County. “The suspect was located and
detained at the (crime) scene,” according to a prepared statement from the Contra Costa County
Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies from the Delta Station were dispatched on April 21 at 5:15 p.m., when the shooting was
reported. A 911 caller reported that a man had been shot, and that the shooter was still on the
property.
Responding deputies cleared the residence and nearby outbuildings, before determining the area was
safe for paramedics to enter. The victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported by
helicopter to a trauma center at a hospital in Walnut Creek.
In addition to the attempted murder charge (penal code 664/187), O’Bryan also faces an allegation for being a prohibited person possession of a firearm (penal code 30305(a)(1)).
He is currently held at the Martinez Detention Facility (Case No. 26-03968) with bail set at $800,000.
The investigation of the shooting incident on April 21 is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact
the sheriff’s office investigation division at 925-313-2600.
