Jul 22, 2008 11:54 pm US/Pacific
1 Dead, 5 Hurt In Series Of Oakland Shootings
OAKLAND (CBS 5 / KCBS / BCN) ―
Oakland police Tuesday were investigating a spate of shootings in the city that left one dead and five others injured in less than six hours.
The series of shootings left community organizers furious with city leaders who they said had promised more resources to reduce violence this summer.
Police initially reported two homicides during the six-hour period; however, spokesman Roland Holmgren later indicated that one of the victims thought to have died had actually survived.
The one fatal shooting occurred around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, claiming the life of a 33-year-old Oakland man and raising the city's homicide tally to 74 for the year, according to Holmgren.
Officers located the victim in a vehicle in the 8700 block of Bancroft Avenue. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his identity was being withheld pending notification of his family.
Police found evidence indicating the shooting actually took place in the 2100 block of 88th Avenue. No suspect information was available.
The string of shootings began around 9:20 p.m. Monday when two men were injured near the corner of Filbert and 10th streets. Both men were in stable condition. Residents reported to police hearing as many as 30 gunshots ring out.
Another shooting, about 10:45 p.m., brought officers to the 2600 block of 82nd Avenue and left a male victim with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
About 15 minutes later, a man was shot and injured in the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The suspects were described as four male juveniles.
Then, about 1:15 a.m., a man was shot in the leg in the 1200 block of 99th Avenue. Police initially reported this incident as a homicide, however the victim underwent surgery and was reported to be in stable condition.
Police said there was no indication that any of the shootings were related and they asked anyone with information regarding any of them to call homicide detectives at (510) 238-3821.
Meantime, the Oakland Community Organization leveled criticism at City Hall over the surge in crime. The group said that in May the mayor's office and the city council made commitments to provide resources for community outreach.
City Councilwoman Nacy Nadel, who heads the Public Safety Committee, said the city is investing in violence prevention programs and hiring police officers as quickly as it can. She said in light of the city's deficit, now some $20 million to $30 million, blaming the council for the violence was irresponsible.
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