Vallejo man arrested for attempted murder, gun charges in Lafayette freeway shooting

Has history of arrests

By CHP – Golden Gate Division

Detectives assigned to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Golden Gate Division (GGD) Special Investigations Unit (SIU), with the assistance of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), arrested 24-year-old Damari Monice Calvin of Vallejo on Tuesday for his involvement in a freeway shooting that occurred in Contra Costa County. (See related article)

On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at approximately 11 a.m., officers assigned to the CHP’s Contra Costa Area office responded to a report of shots fired on westbound Hwy 24 near Pleasant Hill Road. As officers were responding, witnesses called 9-1-1 to report two vehicles near the Central Lafayette off ramp that appeared to be involved in a shooting. As the vehicles were slowing to exit, one of the vehicles collided with an uninvolved Ford that was also exiting. The occupants of both involved vehicles subsequently fled the scene. The occupants of the uninvolved Ford were not injured.

Detectives assigned to the GGD SIU responded to the scene of the shooting and assumed investigative responsibility. The subsequent investigation identified Calvin as a suspect in the shooting, and a warrant was obtained for his arrest.

On Tuesday, August 22, at approximately 5 a.m., a CHP Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, accompanied by CHP canine teams, CHP detectives, and members of the ACSO investigations unit successfully executed a search and arrest warrant on Calvin and his residence in Vallejo, CA. Five additional people inside the apartment were detained and later arrested in connection with a separate investigation into numerous robberies and stolen vehicles. A search of the premises lead to the discovery of numerous illegal firearms, including two ghost gun assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and a stolen vehicle.

Following his arrest, Calvin was booked into Contra Costa County Jail on charges of 664/187 PC – attempted murder, 246 PC – discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle, and 245(a)(2) PC – assault with a firearm.

According to localcrimenews.com, the 5’10”, 150 lb. Calvin has a history of arrests dating back to 2017 by multiple agencies for crimes including concealing a weapon in a vehicle, kidnapping, assault with a firearm, child endangerment, burglary, addict in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, and drug possession.

The CHP would like to thank the witnesses who provided detectives with critical information that lead to the identification and subsequent arrest of Calvin for these brazen and dangerous crimes. We would also like to thank the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and support in bringing Calvin to justice.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.