Police make arrest in Livermore double homicide

LIVERMORE, Calif. (KGO) -- Police arrested 28-year-old James Wears of Livermore on Sunday on suspicion that he fatally shot two men in Livermore.

Police say he is a convicted felon and that when they caught up with him Sunday night, he did not go willingly.

"We conducted a traffic stop. He resisted arrest. The canine was deployed. (The suspect) was bitten and taken into custody," explained Officer Traci Rebiejo.

The initial police response to the shooting occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Officers responded to the area of Altamont Creek and Winding Stream Drives following reports of a disturbance, police said.

Police said officers arrived to find two men on the ground suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

One man was immediately transported to a hospital, where police said he was pronounced dead. The other man was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Both men are believed to be in their 20s said Rebiejo.

At this time, Wears has not been charged with their murders, but hearing about his arrest came as a relief to people who live here.

"We are all excited, for sure. A lot more peace," said Keri Swanger, who loves in the area.

Police say the three met up to do an illegal deal.

A friend of one of the victim's, who did not want to be identified, said it was a gun deal and there was a struggle over the gun.

The victims friends came to the press conference looking for more answers.

"I want to know what argument ensued to lead up to that point because no one had to die over a $500 weapon," he said.

Neighbors say they want more answers, too, about what kind of activity is going on in their neighborhood.

One woman was too afraid to talk about it on camera.

"I don't know what's happening, but I just know things are happening that shouldn't be happening here," she said.

"We want our community to know it is safe. We believe this is an isolated incident. I can say the three men involved all knew each other," said Rebiejo.

The deaths are the first homicides in Livermore this year, Livermore police Sgt. Steve Goard said. Rebiejo said the last homicide in Livermore was in December 2012 when Robert Ogden was shot to death.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Livermore police at (925) 371-4987.

Bay City News contributed to this report.