The Oakland Police Department held a news conference Sunday to discuss details of a fatal shooting in West Oakland Saturday night.
The shooting happened in DeFremery Park near the 1600 block of Adeline Street around 7:30 p.m., during a picnic hosted by the McClymonds Alumni Action Committee.
Deputy Chief Frederick Shavies said the victim, a McClymonds High School alumnus, was two days away from celebrating his 39th birthday when he was killed. Police have not released his identity or motive for the shooting.
Shavies said the death was the 70th homicide this year.
“Community members spanning multiple generations had festivities taking place in the park,” Shavies said. “Unfortunately after 19:30 shots rang out in the middle of the park.”
He said investigators believe there may have been more than one shooter in the incident.
“We are thankful that no one else at this crowded, family-friendly event was injured,” added Shavies.
“There is no place for violence here in the city of Oakland,” Mayor Sheng Thao said at a news conference Sunday morning. “This is an annual peaceful event, where McClymonds High alumni year after year come together, break bread and build community.”
Community members and volunteers are on scene today cleaning up the area after the shooting left the scene in disarray.
Thao said the school would offer grief counseling to those traumatized by the shooting.
“I also want to acknowledge that there are community leaders who are here in the city. We have resources for great grief counselors,” Thao said.
The Oakland Police Department is urging anyone who may have details about the shooting to call 510-238-3821.
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