For Immediate Release September 17, 2021
OPD NEWS:
It’s been nearly a decade since the City of Oakland has experienced such a dramatic increase in homicides. This year the Oakland Police Department (OPD) has investigated 96 homicides, six of which occurred in the last five days.
Thursday night, two lives were lost to violence within eight hours. The first incident happened just after 3:45 PM when officers responded to a call of a shooting in the 2400 Block of 57th Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male Hayward resident suffering from gunshot wound(s). The victim was treated by medical personnel at the scene where he died.
The second incident happened just after 11 PM, as officers responded to a ShotSpotter Activation, followed by a report of a person lying on the street in the 4500 block of Fairfax Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male Stockton resident, lying in the street who appeared to have been struck by a vehicle in the area of the shooting scene. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he died. Officers were unable to locate any victims suffering from gunshot wounds at the scene of the shooting.
The identities of both victims are currently being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.
“How many more tears need to be shed, how many more lives need to be lost,” Oakland Police Chief LeRonne L. Armstrong said? “I am committed to my vision for a Safe Oakland by continuing to work with the community to end the violence in our City. Also, there will be additional officers out on Oakland’s streets this weekend, with the sole purpose to focus on violent crimes and those causing it.”
Chief Armstrong also reassigned six officers to work in the homicide section. Also, the Violent Crime Operations Center (VCOC) is the Department’s primary focus to provide a timely response to homicides, all gun-related crimes, and supporting the Department’s Ceasefire strategy. Since the implementation of the VCOC have officers arrested more than 30 homicide suspects as well as recovered dozens of firearms.
The Department will also have an increased presence of officers with OPD’s illegal sideshow enforcement details.
OPD encourages residents & businesses to consider installing security cameras.