A teen's trip to a local Safeway turned deadly, culminating in a juvenile being charged with homicide. According to the San Leandro Police Department, on a Tuesday afternoon in April, 18-year-old Zion Gooden was found inside the Safeway at 555 Bancroft Avenue, the victim of a stabbing that would later claim his life. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but after being rushed to a local trauma center, Gooden died of his wounds that evening.

The San Leandro Police quickly mounted an investigation, aided by the silent testimony of surveillance footage and the witness accounts from those present during the tragedy. A narrative began to unfold—one that painted the picture of a dispute gone horrifically wrong involving Gooden and a 13-year-old boy. The authorities reported that the altercation had escalated, born from the suspect's interaction with an associate of Gooden, during which the teenager was fatally stabbed.

The unnamed juvenile suspect was pinpointed by detectives through the digital eye of the store's cameras, leading to his arrest at his school on May 16. A search of his home further linked him to the crime, and in the wake of these findings, the Alameda County District Attorney's office has filed charges against the young suspect.

With the suspect now behind bars, San Leandro Police haven't closed the book on this case just yet. Aware of the intricacies that a case of this nature can entail, the SLPD is seeking additional information. The department provided various contacts for those who may provide more insights into the homicide—a call to action by Detective Sergeant J. Vincent, a reach out to the anonymous tip line, or a discreet text to their TipSLPolice line, each avenue promising a confidential ear for details that may bolster their case against the captured youth.