Interrupted Car Burglary Turns Deadly in Oakland's Lake Merritt
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- A man was fatally shot Sunday in Oakland's Lake Merritt neighborhood, the latest victim of an on-going surge in violence in the East Bay community.
Oakland police said the city's 127th homicide of the year took place at around 3:30 p.m. in the 600 block of Grand Avenue.
According to investigators, a man was shot confronting someone trying to burglarize his car. Police are still looking for the shooter, who fled in his own car.
The slaying came just hours after Oakland police announced they would be deploying tactical teams to the streets to counter the surge of violence.
Aside from the homicides, there have been nearly weekly illegal sideshows, smash-and-grab robberies and other violent crimes.
"Several tactical teams will support the patrol officers who are responding to armed caravans, illegal sideshows & other violent crimes," Oakland police tweeted. "The tactical teams are highly skilled in de-escalating incidents."
Just last week, Oakland police retweeted a pair of videos of Prime 356 -- a local retail store -- as it was burglarized Monday night by several people who climbed over a fence to break in and steal from the shop.
The videos showed frenzied scenes inside and outside the store as it was ransacked by people wearing masks and hoods.
The following day, a KRON TV news crew traveled to the scene of the smash-and-grab robbery to report on the crime. Investigators say an armed robbery crew pulled up and ordered the crew and their guard to get on the ground. According to witnesses, moments later, shots were fired and the guard was hit.
Retired police officer Kevin Nishita was taken to a local hospital and remained in critical condition until Saturday, when he died of his injuries.
Nishita was a San José police officer from 2001-2012. During his time there, he worked as a gang investigations detective as well as working the gaming/vice unit.
Crime Stoppers of Oakland, and the Oakland police department, are offering a reward leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals involved in the fatal shooting and attempted robbery that has grown to $35,000.
Police were asking anyone with information about the Lake Merritt shooting to contact the Oakland Police Department's homicide unit at (510) 238-3821. Crime Stoppers of Oakland and the Oakland Police Department are offering a reward up to $10,000 leading to the arrest of the suspect.