Police have reported that multiple individuals were shot on Wednesday evening during the Juneteenth festivities held near Lake Merritt in Oakland.
At approximately 8:15 p.m., an illegal sideshow involving vehicles and motorbikes occurred in the area of Grand and Bellevue avenues, while around 5,000 people were participating in Juneteenth-related celebrations around Lake Merritt, according to police.
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The police reported that a scuffle ensued, and as the crowd made their way towards it, numerous gunshots were heard. The gunfire hit multiple individuals, resulting in several casualties.
According to the police, a number of injured individuals were taken to a nearby hospital by first responders in the aftermath of the shooting. Additionally, several other victims were also transported to different medical facilities via private transportation.
Oakland police released a statement around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, confirming no fatalities have been reported yet and the exact number of injured individuals is still being investigated. As of now, there have been no arrests made in connection with the shooting. It remains unclear whether the shooting was carried out by a single shooter or multiple individuals.
According to Michael Hunt, spokesperson for the Oakland Fire Department, there have been reports of at least four individuals being shot with several others sustaining injuries.
After the shootings occurred, the police attempted to direct the crowd towards a secure location. However, a few individuals within the group physically attacked the officers by punching and pushing them, leading to minor injuries.
According to the police, an officer was assaulted and one individual was apprehended in connection to the incident.
Oakland police stated that the celebrations in the vicinity related to Juneteenth were not authorized gatherings.
If you have any details regarding the shooting, please make sure to reach out to the Oakland police at (510) 238-3426.
The police department has requested the public’s assistance in their investigation and has asked for any videos or photos that may be helpful to be sent to [email protected].
