Oakland Musician Dies After Getting Robbed, Dragged From Vehicle
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- A man who died after being robbed and then dragged from a vehicle in Oakland's Temescal neighborhood Wednesday was identified as a beloved local musician.
Oakland Police identified the victim as 40-year-old Dave Deporis, an acoustic guitarist who has toured around the country.
Officers responded at about 12:35 p.m. Wednesday to the 400 block of Rich Street and found him suffering from traumatic injuries.
Witnesses said Deporis was sitting outside a cafe Wednesday working on his laptop when someone grabbed it and jumped in a waiting car.
Police said Deporis ran after the car and apparently grabbed onto the vehicle, which dragged him down the street. He was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead, police said.
Friends who gathered at the scene Thursday mourned his loss. "Dave always was just an all-in artist and the community needs people like that to keep us honest," said friend Scott MacDonald.
"Dave was just, one word, would just be 'magic' and I hope he'd want people to remember him for that," said friend Ian Petrich. "Because most people just go through their humdrum life and seeing Dave was always an experience."
Others, including fellow musicians, mourned his passing on social media.
I found out that the beautiful musician #DaveDeporis has passed away... I first heard him years ago at Sidewalk Cafe https://t.co/DiI63yfmMD
— Regina Spektor (@respektor) August 10, 2017
My tears overflow with the passing of the incredible youhavepowers . #DaveDeporis was playing… https://t.co/TYgByoPeET
— My Brightest Diamond (@MyBrightestDmnd) August 10, 2017
rest in peace dave. you were amazing. #davedeporishttps://t.co/8GwFhtob0t
— thank you thank you (@tytyband) August 10, 2017
RIP my friend Dave Deporis, songbird , now gone too soon, just ripped out of this life to go on… https://t.co/DRWpKMVV4Q
— Karolina Wallace (@KarolinaWallace) August 10, 2017
Rip to Dave deporis , one of the greatest artists I've ever known. Every song i write has been profoundly influenced by him. Dave we love u
— frog, a band (@heyitsfrog) August 10, 2017
No suspect information in the case was immediately released by Oakland police. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police Department's homicide section at (510) 238-3821 or a tip line at (510) 238-7950.
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