A routine traffic stop in Oakland turned violent today when police say a driver hit the gas, dragged one officer, pinned another, and was then shot by police. The wounded driver was rushed to a hospital and listed in stable condition, while two officers were treated at local hospitals for injuries. The confrontation brought a heavy police response that shut down part of International Boulevard and kept the intersection packed with flashing lights well into the morning commute.
According to The Mercury News, officers had pulled over a white car on the 1300 block of 9th Avenue near International Boulevard at about 3:30 AM. The outlet reports that as police approached, the driver suddenly accelerated, dragging one officer alongside the car and pinning another against the vehicle. During that sequence, an officer opened fire and hit the driver.
City officials have laid out, in a recent officer-involved shooting bulletin, what typically happens next when police use their guns on duty. According to a City of Oakland release, such incidents trigger both criminal and administrative reviews involving the Oakland Police Department, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, and the Community Police Review Agency. The release also notes that officers involved in shootings are usually placed on paid administrative leave while those investigations play out. As of midmorning Friday, the city had not issued a statement specific to the latest shooting.
Where It Happened
The stop and shooting took place on the 1300 block of 9th Avenue near International Boulevard. Investigators shut down International Boulevard between 8th and 10th avenues while they documented the scene and collected evidence. The corridor has seen more than its share of trouble this year, with deadly shootings on International Boulevard and other violent incidents drawing a sustained law-enforcement presence, per Hoodline.
Investigation and Next Steps
Oakland police say the shooting remains under investigation and that, under the city's published procedures for officer-involved shootings, prosecutors and the civilian oversight agency are expected to review the case once evidence is in. Investigators plan to gather witness statements and any available video footage as part of that process. Officials have not yet released the names of the officers or the driver, citing notification requirements and ongoing investigative steps.
Details are still thin. Hoodline will update this post as the Oakland Police Department or Alameda County prosecutors release more information.
