Unarmed East Bay musician fatally shot by Alameda County deputies

Mother decries killing of 40-year-old who was known for performances at Berkeley Irish pub

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Anthony Anderson, a 40-year-old East Bay musician known for frequently performing at a Berkeley Irish pub, was fatally shot by Alameda County sheriff's deputies early Monday morning. Anderson's mother, Kristina Anderson, decried the killing and questioned why deputies shot her unarmed son, stating 'this is not supposed to happen to anyone.'

Why it matters

The shooting of an unarmed man by law enforcement has sparked outrage from the victim's family and concerns within the local music community that Anderson was a beloved performer. The incident also raises questions about transparency and accountability around police use of force, especially in cases where the person killed was not armed.

The details

According to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a call at 3:19 a.m. from a man who claimed to have a gun and 'expressed his intent to harm others.' When Anderson came out of the residence, the deputies opened fire, claiming he 'presented an immediate threat.' However, Anderson's mother said he was not known to own any firearms and was simply 'reaching out for help' while dealing with depression.

  • The shooting occurred around 3:19 a.m. on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • The Alameda County Sheriff's Office did not publicly acknowledge the killing for more than 12 hours after Anderson's death.

The players

Anthony Anderson

A 40-year-old East Bay musician known for frequently performing at a Berkeley Irish pub.

Kristina Anderson

The mother of Anthony Anderson, who decried the killing of her unarmed son and questioned why deputies shot him.

Alameda County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency whose deputies fatally shot Anthony Anderson, an unarmed man.

Greg Croft

A 66-year-old neighbor who recalled hearing someone yell 'Hands up! Hands up!' and then hearing five gunshots.

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What they’re saying

“I can't believe this is the country I am living in. Because this is not supposed to happen to anyone.”

— Kristina Anderson, Mother of Anthony Anderson (Mercury News)

“This is already reverberating through the music community unbelievably. No one can believe this kind of thing can happen in a civilized society. But guess what, it did.”

— Kristina Anderson, Mother of Anthony Anderson (Mercury News)

“Anthony was incredible, wonderful, not a mean bone in his body.”

— Kristina Anderson, Mother of Anthony Anderson (Mercury News)

What’s next

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office has not released the names of the two deputies who fired on Anthony Anderson, and they remain on paid administrative leave pending the investigation by the California Attorney General's Office.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing need for greater transparency, accountability, and de-escalation training for law enforcement, especially when dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises. The community is left to grapple with the loss of a beloved musician who was reportedly unarmed and seeking help.