The city of Oakland, California, was gripped by violence on Wednesday night as at least 15 people were shot during a Juneteenth celebration. The incident occurred after an illegal stunt-driving “sideshow” led to fights and gunfire from multiple shooters. Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell stated in a press conference that the shooting was a result of fights that broke out during the sideshow near Juneteenth celebrations in a public park. The victims, ranging in age from 20 to 30, were transported to local hospitals with injuries including gunshot wounds and assault-related injuries. Mitchell emphasized that the level of violence exhibited was unacceptable and should never mar celebrations with friends and family.
The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing, but police believe there were multiple shooters involved due to the discovery of over 50 shell casings at the scene. Mitchell noted that some injuries sustained were severe, including minor gunshot wounds and loss of fingers, and some individuals were still in critical condition as of Thursday afternoon. Despite the severity of the situation, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, although one person was arrested for assaulting an officer. Mitchell stressed the importance of finding those responsible for the violence and holding them accountable for their actions.
Around 5,000 people had gathered for Juneteenth celebrations around Lake Merritt on Wednesday night, with approximately 100 police officers present in the area. Roughly 30 officers were specifically assigned to the area to provide high visibility during the events. The celebrations were not scheduled by the city, according to police, who also revealed that officers had been diverted to respond to a call about an armed individual in another part of Oakland 30 minutes before the shooting. This diversion likely impacted the police presence at Lake Merritt at the time of the incident. This is not the first time violence has overshadowed Juneteenth celebrations at Lake Merritt, as a shooting in 2021 resulted in one fatality and five injuries.
The recent shooting in Oakland adds to the alarming statistic of mass shootings in the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 231 mass shootings in the country so far in 2024. The prevalence of gun violence continues to be a major concern, with incidents like the one at Lake Merritt highlighting the urgency for stricter gun control measures and prevention strategies. As the investigation into the Oakland shooting continues, authorities are working to identify the individuals responsible and bring them to justice. Mitchell’s message at the press conference reinforces the importance of maintaining safety and preventing violence from overshadowing community events and celebrations.
