Recent events have seen a frightening increase in violent crime throughout Oakland over the holiday weekend. According to the Oakland Police Department's (OPD) Twitter, this surge resulted in several homicides, shootings, and even a fatal traffic incident.
These alarming incidents began on Friday, June 16, 2023, when an individual lost their life after being struck by a vehicle in the 5200 block of Foothill Boulevard. While still reeling from the loss, the City of Oakland had to grapple with an additional four homicides that the OPD is determined to investigate thoroughly.
The first homicide incident took place just before 3:00 a.m. on June 17, 2023, in the 100 block of 14th Street. As officers were investigating this case, a second homicide tragically occurred in the 2100 block of 39th Avenue, shortly after 3:00 a.m. The weekend's violence, sadly, did not stop there. A third homicide occurred around 2:45 a.m. on June 18, 2023, in the 1900 block of 73rd Avenue. On June 19, 2023, a fourth homicide was reported just before 6:00 p.m. in the 5000 block of Camden Street.
In all instances, the victims' identities are being withheld pending notification to their next-of-kin. The good news is that, through the diligent work of OPD patrol officers, investigations, and the Violent Crime Operations Division (VCOC), an individual was taken into custody in connection to the 39th Avenue homicide, but officers are still searching for any person(s) responsible for the other shootings.
While these investigations are underway, the officers have also taken on the task of inquiring into multiple shootings that occurred citywide; in one incident alone, a juvenile fell victim to gunfire just before 9:15 p.m. on June 16, 2023, in the 2200 block of East 12th Street, while they currently remain listed in stable condition.
The Oakland Police Department is committed to solving these cases and working to prevent further violence in the city. Anyone with information relating to the homicides can contact the Homicide Section at (510) 238-3821 or the TIP LINE at (510) 238-7950. For information on shootings, the Felony Assault Unit can be reached at (510) 238-3426.
