Toddler injured by shrapnel from gunfire during Oakland attempted armed robbery
OAKLAND -- Police in Oakland are investigating an attempted armed robbery late Tuesday morning where a toddler was injured after one of the robbery suspects discharged a firearm, authorities said.
Oakland police said the attempted robbery happened just before 11 a.m. on the 800 block of Trestle Glen Road east of I-580. Arriving officers learned that two individuals -- including one armed with a firearm -- had approached the victim who had a 15-month-old toddler in a stroller and demanded the victim's belongings at gunpoint.
During the incident, police said the armed suspect discharged the firearm, causing shrapnel injuries to the child before apparently fleeing. Police blocked off Trestle Glen from Lakeshore to Brookwood while looking for the suspects and inquiring with neighborhood residents about possible video of the incident.
Oakland Fire personnel and paramedics were called to the incident and provided medical treatment to the toddler, who was transported to an area hospital for additional treatment. Authorities said the child is currently listed in stable condition.
The nature of the crime was disturbing to one man KPIX spoke with who lives near where it happened.
"I don't know whether the crime rate is changing, but there's kind of a brazen quality to doing this when there are a lot of people around," said neighbor Harvey Sohnen. "Also, it is not even like these are big crimes that are occurring. It seems like we have got some desperate people who...are not sneaking around."
Oakland police are actively investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPD Criminal Investigations Division at (510)238-3426 or (510)238-3326.
