Contra Costa Coroner’s inquest jury determines 2020 death of El Sobrante man was a suicide

Following vehicle pursuit by Richmond police

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury today reached a finding in the July 23, 2020 death of 53-year-old Steven Kenneth Trottier of El Sobrante. The finding of the jury is that the death is a suicide.

The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.

Following reports of a man with a gun, Richmond police responded and a vehicle pursuit of Trottier ensued. He stopped his car on Amend Road and died of a self-inflicted gunshot.

A July 23, 2020 post at 9:04 p.m. on the Richmond Police Department’s Twitter feed read, “Richmond police officers responded to the 5000 block of Amend Rd. following a report of a man with a gun. The incident has been resolved and there is no risk to the public. Please avoid the area while the investigation continues.”

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving law enforcement personnel, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes or At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.