Correction: Oakland police originally said that 15 individuals suffered gunshot wounds during this incident. On June 20, OPD issued a press release stating that 14 people were wounded by gunfire. This story was also updated on Thurs. June 20 at 5:30 p.m. following an OPD press conference.
Fourteen people were shot during a chaotic street altercation Wednesday evening near Lake Merritt. According to the Oakland police, “medical personnel transported several victims to an area hospital” and “additional victims were taken to various hospitals by private transportation.”
OPD said Thursday that there have been no reported fatalities. No arrests have been made for the mass shooting. Victims ages range from 20 to 30. Some have minor wounds while some have lost fingers and a few are in critical condition.
Video of the shooting shows people running and ducking for cover as gunfire explodes along Grand Avenue. Several people lay on the sidewalk, apparently suffering from wounds.
At a press conference on Thursday, Police Chief Floyd Mitchell said there were thousands of people who had gathered around Lake Merritt Wednesday to celebrate Juneteenth, and that the gatherings were peaceful until around 8:15 p.m. when a sideshow took over the intersection of Grand Avenue and Bellevue Avenue. A fight broke out and then the shooting started.
“An individual walked across the hood of vehicle leading to multiple people exiting that vehicle and violently attacking that person.” Fights then broke out along Grand Avenue and escalated into gun battles. Mitchell said that OPD recovered 50 shell casings along the block.
After the shooting, some people clashed with police and one person was taken into custody.
More than 30 OPD officers were around the lake last night. Mitchell said he’s requesting assistance from outside agencies to deal with public safety situations around Lake Merritt, including sideshows.
“The opportunity to celebrate with your family and friends should never be marred by gunfire,” Mitchell said.
Juneteenth celebrations were also marred in 2021 six people were wounded and a 22-year-old man was killed at Lake Merritt in a shooting.
OPD said Friday they would step up police presence around the lake on Sat. June 22 to coincide with Lakefest, where thousands are anticipated to gather for music, food, an artisan marketplace, and more.
