Alameda County deputies fatally shoot local musician

Anthony Anderson, a well-known trumpet player, was killed after deputies responded to a call about a person with a firearm

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Alameda County Sheriff's Office said they received a call from a person claiming to have a firearm around 3:20 Monday morning. When deputies arrived, they say a person exited the home and presented an immediate threat, leading to the deputies shooting and killing the individual. The victim has been identified as 40-year-old Anthony Anderson, a local musician known for his work in the East Bay music community.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about law enforcement's response to mental health crises, as Anderson's mother has shared that he was struggling with depression and reaching out for help when the fatal shooting occurred. It also highlights the need for more specialized training for officers when dealing with individuals experiencing mental health issues.

The details

According to the Anti Police-Terror Project, Anderson was an accomplished trumpet player and band leader who brought people together to play music at the Starry Plough Pub in Berkeley. His friend and fellow musician Kev Choice described him as a "fun person to be around, always smiling" who was "providing a lot of opportunity, creating a lot of spaces" for the local music community. The California Department of Justice is investigating the shooting, as required by law in law enforcement shootings of unarmed civilians.

  • The incident occurred around 3:20 AM on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • The Alameda County Sheriff's Office received a call about a person with a firearm at that time.

The players

Anthony Anderson

A 40-year-old local musician known for his work in the East Bay music community, particularly as a trumpet player and band leader.

Kev Choice

A musician who knew Anderson for more than a decade and described him as a "fun person to be around" who provided opportunities and created spaces for the local music scene.

Alameda County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to the call about a person with a firearm and was involved in the fatal shooting of Anthony Anderson.

Anti Police-Terror Project

An organization that supports families "surviving police terror" and released the name of Anthony Anderson as the victim of the fatal shooting by Alameda County deputies.

Kristina Anderson

Anthony Anderson's mother, who shared that her son was struggling with depression and reaching out for help when the fatal shooting occurred.

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What’s next

The California Department of Justice is investigating the shooting, as required by law in law enforcement shootings of unarmed civilians.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for law enforcement to receive more specialized training in responding to mental health crises, as well as the importance of having community-based crisis responders available to provide appropriate care and support when someone is reaching out for help.