The deadly shooting during Lake Merritt’s Juneteenth celebration over the weekend was most likely gang-related, Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong said on Monday.
Armstrong told reporters there were multiple shooters and several weapons were fired during the shooting. The incident is being linked to two feuding San Francisco gangs, he added.
"I think some of the individuals that were shot and are injured...I believe were targeted individuals," the chief said. "Those are the individuals that appear to be some gang or group connections with San Francisco. There are individuals also that were just part of the festivities, part of the gathering, and were caught up in crossfire as well."
Investigators are still searching for the exact motive.
A 22-year-old San Francisco resident was killed, while seven people are recovering from their injuries. As KCBS Radio previously reported, gunshots rang out along the 2200 block of Lakeshore Ave. at about 6:20 p.m., about eight blocks away from where the official Juneteenth Fest took place.
Police confirmed there were about 1,000 people gathered at the site when the shooting happened, but a later statement reported about 5,000 gathered for celebrations throughout the day.
The victims found at the scene are male, ages 16-27, plus a 21-year-old woman. Police said hours later, another woman walked into the hospital with a gunshot wound.
"We continue again in the City of Oakland to see far too many guns," Armstrong said. Two men running from the scene with guns were arrested and that both firearms have been recovered, but it’s not clear if they were responsible for the shooting.
Crime stoppers and the police department are also offering a $40,000 reward for information.
Anyone with information is asked to call Oakland Police Department’s Homicide Division at 510-238-3821.
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