On October 14, 2020 Deputies from the Marin County Sheriff’s Office were on foot in a shopping center near Marin City, CA. While on foot, they heard what sounded like six to nine shots coming from the area of Marin City. They drove to the area to check for any victims or gun casings. While driving to the area, multiple callers reported to our 911 dispatchers they heard what they believed were gun shots from the area of 100 Drake Avenue in Marin City.

Deputies checking the area were unable to locate any shell casings or victims. While in the area a Deputy noticed a vehicle run a stop sign and then start driving erratically. The Deputy attempted to stop that vehicle and it increased speed and fled from the Deputy.

A short distance later, the vehicle came to a stop on Cole Drive and the driver ran from the vehicle with a backpack. Deputies chased the subject, who discarded the backpack during the foot chase and arrested him after a brief struggle. The arrestee was identified as Claude Burdette Burton Jr.

Burton Jr. is a felon with previous gun related convictions. In June of 2019 a Marin County judge sentenced him to three years and eight months in prison. The sentence included a one-year enhancement because of his prior prison record, which was later reduced due to Senate Bill 136. He is currently on Post Release Community Supervision (AB109) which began on July 7, 2020.

Deputies located and retrieved the discarded backpack in a nearby backyard amongst children toys and a play structure. Inside the backpack, we located a loaded Glock 22 with a 22 round magazine. There were 8 bullets in the firearm, including 1 in the chamber ready to be fired in addition to a black ski mask.

Claude Burton Jr. was booked into the Marin County Jail on the following charges:

273(A)(1) PC – Child Endangerment

29800(B) PC – Felon in possession of a firearm

32310 PC – Possession of a large capacity magazine

2800.2 PC – Evading with disregard for public safety

25850(C)(1) PC – Carrying a loaded firearm in public

148(A)(1) PC – Resisting arrest

23103 PC – Reckless driving

3455 PC - Violation of Post Release Community Supervision

No booking photograph or further information will be released as the investigation continues.

Prepared by: Sergeant Brenton Schneider (628-888-9398 or b_schneider@marinsheriff.org)