Jul 3, 2008 9:01 am US/Pacific
Oakland Police Probe 3 Fatal Shootings In 1 Week
OAKLAND (BCN) ―
Police Thursday are continuing to investigate three fatal shootings in Oakland since Monday morning that have brought the city's total homicides this year to 68.
The first shooting, reported about 7:10 a.m. Monday, was not declared a homicide until after the initial investigation, according to Oakland Police Department spokesman Jeff Thomason.
Oakland resident Roy Griffin, 58, was originally thought to have killed himself after his body was found in the 2200 block of East 19th Street, but homicide investigators have since taken over the case, Thomason said.
"There was some confusion about whether it was a suicide," Thomason said.
After Griffin's death was determined a homicide, he became the city's 67th homicide victim this year.
No suspects have been taken into custody in connection with Griffin's death, according to Thomason.
At about 6:45 p.m. Monday, Oakland resident Zaire Washington, 24, was found suffering gunshot wounds in the 8200 block of MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland police Officer Roland Holmgren said.
Washington was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, marking the city's 66th homicide this year.
A fatal shooting at about 10:25 p.m. Tuesday claimed the life of 22-year-old Eric Ford at a gas station in the 3400 block of 35th Avenue, according to Holmgren.
Ford is the city's 68th homicide victim this year, Thomason said.
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