(KRON) — The community of Oakland is reeling after a violent weekend that resulted in the deaths of four people. As police proceeded with investigations into several weekend shootings, a 15-month-old baby was also injured in a shooting on Monday evening in the city.
The Oakland Police Department held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to address the shootings. The department clarified that it would only be addressing the homicide investigations and the shooting involving the baby.
Lieutenant Hamann Nguyuen, Commander for OPD’s Homicide Section, described the gun violence that struck one family twice on Saturday night, when Rebecca Jenkins and her 13-year-old daughter Desiree were killed in what their family is calling a domestic violence incident.
A child visiting the family for a sleepover was also shot at the residence, and later taken to a local hospital for treatment. That child is now in stable condition. The suspect in that case was identified as Antonio Powell of Oakland, and he was arrested for two counts of murder and one count of assault with a deadly weapon.
The next incident Nguyen described happened on Monday night around 10 p.m. on 7th Street. Two adult victims suffering from gunshot wounds were found. One victim was declared dead at the scene, and the second was listed in “critical but stable” condition.
Anyone with information on those cases is asked to contact OPD as soon as possible.
Next to speak was Section Commander for the Felony Assault and Robbery Section, Lieutenant Seth Neri. He described the shooting reported on Monday night. A family was driving home near 12th and E. 15th avenues when They heard gunshots, and took cover inside the car.
Once the shooting stopped, the baby in her carseat in backseat started to cry. Her father took her out of her carseat to comfort her, but did not immediately realize she had been struck by gunfire. They put her back in her carseat and headed towards home, where she kept crying.
The father then realized she had been shot, and they raced to a nearby fire station for help. She was taken into emergency surgery at the children’s hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the stomach. The baby is now listed in stable condition.
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Neri says OPD has obtained video footage that shows a Black man at the corner of 11th and E. 15th avenues firing towards a vehicle in the east direction. OPD believes the child was struck by a stray bullet, and she was not an intended victim in the shooting.
“This is a very tragic event, especially involving children. Being a father myself, I can only imagine what the family is going through. My investigators will continue to work around the clock to identify the individual or individuals responsible for this perilous act, and hopefully we can make an arrest. This type of violence impacts the entire community, and should not be tolerated. I’m praying for the full and speedy recovery of the innocent child.” –Lieutenant Seth Neri
If you have any information about this shooting, please call the OPD Criminal Investigation Division at 510-238-3426.