Chief Speaks Out On Violent Crimes: 'Fremont Remains A Safe City'

FREMONT, CA — Fremont’s police chief is reaching out to residents to offer reassurance after a recent string of violent crimes in the city.

“I am writing to you today following several deeply unfortunate incidents that have impacted our City,” Chief Sean Washington wrote in a message posted Monday on the police department’s social media accounts. “I want to reassure you: Fremont remains a safe city, as it has for many decades.”

The message comes after Anthony Santos was killed and a second person was injured June 20 in the 39000 block of Overacker Avenue in connection with a parking dispute that resulted in to two groups shooting at each other, according to police, who, as of June 27, said prosecutors had declined to file charges.

Less than two weeks later, a person was shot and killed July 1 in the area of Northport Loop West, police said, adding a possible suspect was detained the same day.

On June 18, a group used a car to ram a storefront in Fremont, smashed display cases and stole tens of thousands of dollars in jewelry, according to NBC Bay Area, which added four people were taken into custody.

“Our Police Department is actively investigating these cases,” Washington wrote. “The homicides — our first two of 2025 — have been solved, and multiple suspects connected to the robbery have been apprehended.”

Increased patrols are underway in the areas where the crimes occurred, according to Washington.

The city saw a drop in violent and property crime in 2024 and has hired 44 officers in the past 18 months, he wrote, touting initiatives such as Fremont’s Real-Time Information Center and Drone as First Responder program, and the expansion of community cameras.

“At this time, we do not see evidence of a broader trend or staffing-related concerns in these cases,” Washington wrote. “The two homicides appear to be isolated, involving acquaintances of the victims, and pose no ongoing risk to the public.”