A 15-year-old boy was shot in the foot early Monday during an exchange of gunfire between occupants of up to four vehicles and three security guards at a West Oakland public housing complex, and he now faces arrest on suspicion of vehicle theft and firearm possession. The shooting broke out around 12:43 a.m. in the 1000 block of Eighth Street, triggering a gunshot-detection alert system before the vehicles sped off ahead of police.
According to The Mercury News, vehicle occupants opened fire on the three housing-complex security guards, who returned fire during the confrontation. The vehicles, numbering as many as four, had been traveling eastbound on Eighth Street just before the gunfire erupted. No other injuries were reported in the shooting, and the guards who fired shots called police but were released after questioning.
Stolen Hyundai Found Near the Hospital
Investigators linked the wounded teen to a Hyundai found near the hospital where he was taken, The Mercury News reported. Investigators initially believed he had been driving the vehicle, which had been reported stolen earlier in Oakland. The Hyundai had at least one bullet hole; officers also found blood on the driver's seat and a pistol inside.
The teen was listed in stable condition after treatment for the gunshot wound to his foot, according to the report. He was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and possession of a firearm. Investigators are still working to identify and locate occupants of the other vehicles and determine whether anyone else had been riding in the stolen Hyundai.
Vehicle theft context
According to The Oaklandside, Oakland recorded 14,826 reported vehicle thefts in the prior year, many involving Kia or Hyundai models that became popular targets because of a technology vulnerability.
California Highway Patrol records show that 176,230 vehicles were stolen statewide in 2024, with an estimated total value of $1.56 billion.
Motive Still Unclear as Search Continues
All of the vehicles left before officers arrived, and investigators have not established a motive, the report said. Oakland investigators are asking anyone with information to call 510-238-3426. Video or images can be submitted to [email protected].
