OAKLAND — Four people were shot and injured during a violent sideshow in the Dimond District early Sunday morning, police said.
The shooting happened around 4 a.m. at the intersection of Fruitvale Avenue and McArthur Boulevard, where a large gathering of vehicles and onlookers had gathered.
Two women, ages 24 and 26, from Hayward and San Bernardino, respectively, and two men, ages 21 and 22, from Oakland and San Pablo, were struck by gunfire. The four victims, believed to be bystanders, found their own transport to a hospital, where they were treated and listed in stable condition.
A nearby business was also hit by gunfire, but no further details were released.
The Oakland Police Department is still investigating the incident and has not made any arrests. The motive behind the shooting is still unclear.
Authorities are working to determine what sparked the violence.
In June, 14 people were shot at a slide show at Lake Merritt that followed a peaceful Juneteenth celebration. Sideshows in Oakland and across the Bay Area have become increasingly problematic over the years.
The Oakland City Council passed an ordinance last year that made it illegal to “organize, facilitate or promote” side gambling.
Those found guilty of violating the ordinance can face misdemeanor charges and civil penalties including six months in jail or a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, with penalties increasing for repeat offenders.
Those who engage in illegal sideshows can also have their vehicles towed and impounded for a 30-day period.
OPD encourages those who find themselves in the middle of a sideshow to look for a safe alternate route that would allow them to escape sideshow activities.
Anyone with more information about Sunday morning can call Oakland police at 510-238-3426.
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