One of four men initially suspected of fatally shooting an Oakland police officer late last year had all charges against him dismissed this week, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Thursday.
Prosecutors had charged Marquise Cooper, 34, with murder in January in the slaying of Officer Tuan Le, 36. Alameda County Dist. Atty. Pamela Price said at a news conference Wednesday that those charges were dismissed after a preliminary hearing earlier this month.
Price said the court found prosecutors had presented too little evidence to support the murder charge.
Price announced August 14 that her office would proceed with three counts of second-degree burglary against Cooper. His bail had been set at $75,000.
However, those charges were dismissed without prejudice on Wednesday, meaning prosecutors can return them later. Price said the investigation into Cooper’s role and conduct is continuing.
Le was shot and killed on Dec. 29 when he and another officer responded to a burglary at a cannabis store around 4:30 a.m.
Both officers were in plainclothes in an unmarked vehicle when they were assaulted, according to an account from the Oakland Police Officers Assn.
The other police officer suffered minor injuries. Le died at nearby Highland Hospital.
Three other men — Allen Starr Brown, Sebron Russell, Mark Demetrious Sanders — still face a slew of charges in connection with the incident.
The charges against Brown, 28, include murder, weapons offenses and second-degree burglary.
Charges against Russell, 31, include murder, second-degree burglary and possession of a firearm by a felon.
He was already facing charges in another case that include aggravated kidnapping to commit a robbery or sex crime, second-degree burglary and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Sanders, 27, is charged with murder of a peace officer engaged in official duties, manslaughter and second-degree burglary.
All three are awaiting trial in Santa Rita Prison in Dublin. Bail was set at $200,000 for Russell, while no bail was offered to Brown and Sanders.