Yesterday, Downtown Oakland was the scene of a spate of violence that left two people dead and four others wounded across multiple shootings. The Oakland Police Officers Association described one victim, who is presently in critical condition, as an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire between two gangs while purchasing food from a convenience store. "They got caught in the crossfire of two rival gangs," the association's spokesman, Sam Singer, said, per KTVU.
As per ABC7 News, the first shooting occurred near the intersection of Broadway and 19th Street at approximately 2:15 AM. Around 3 AM, the ShotSpotter system detected additional gunfire along San Pablo Avenue. Shortly thereafter, another victim was located on 18th Street near Telegraph Avenue, followed by two more shootings near Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 19th Street, with a thirty-minute interval between them. Both victims from the latter incidents were reported to have arrived at a local hospital in stable condition.
All four incidents unfolded within 90 minutes, coinciding with the conclusion of the bustling Oakland First Friday street festival. “It’s a good thing I was in the building when that happened, but it kind of shook me,” said Larry Coke, a nearby senior citizens’ shelter resident, recounting his near-miss experience to KTVU.
Amid these events, the Oakland Police Department is earnestly soliciting assistance from the public. Anyone with information about the shootings is requested to promptly reach out to the Oakland Police Homicide Division at (510) 238-3821 or convey anonymous tips via the Tip Line at (510) 238-7950. Digital submissions, such as relevant videos or photos, can be emailed to [email protected].
