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OAKLAND (CBS SF) – Two warring San Francisco gangs appear to be responsible for a mass shooting at Lake Merritt on Saturday, Oakland Police said on Monday.
Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong said his investigators were working with San Francisco Police to find those responsible for the shooting at a crowded event at Lake Merritt. One person was killed and eight others were injured; Armstrong said he believed the same group was responsible for several recent shootings.
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“We think it was directly related to group and gang violence and group and gang violence that was not even related to the city of Oakland,” Armstrong said. “It appears to be group and gang violence linked to the city of San Francisco. “
There were around 10,000 people all around Lake Merritt for several different events, with some 5,000 people in the area where the shooting took place. The event was a one-day rally to commemorate Juneteenth.
The victims were between 16 and 60 years old; the deceased victim was a 22-year-old man from San Francisco.
Armstrong said most of those involved in the shooting were from outside Oakland and investigators are looking for more than one shooter.
“Our homicide investigators determined that those responsible were several shooters, not one,” Armstrong said. “We have learned in the past two days that several people fired at this event.”
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Armstrong also said the large crowds made it difficult for first responders to reach victims and evacuate them to hospitals, although he said a number of citizens rallied to open traffic and allow l ‘access for emergency teams.
Oakland Police Lt. Leo Sanchez said that while some of the victims were specifically targeted in the shooting, others were unrelated to gang activity.
“This investigation is still in its early stages, but I think some of the people who were shot and wounded – including the person who sadly died – were, I think, targeted people. These are the individuals who appear to have gang or group connections with San Francisco, ”Sanchez said. “There are also individuals who are part of the festivities, who are part of the gathering and who are also caught in the crossfire. “
Two people fleeing the scene were arrested by police and carrying weapons, but none were associated with the shooting. Armstrong said they were just two of many who brought guns to Lake Merritt that day.
“There were several armed individuals there; armed with guns and prepared for conflict, ”Armstrong said. “We continue into the city of Oakland again to see far too many guns, especially gun-ready people in our city. And Saturday’s event was one that people came to armed with, unfortunately.
Sanchez said no one has yet been identified as a suspect. Community members have provided information to investigators and some surveillance videos are being analyzed, Sanchez said.
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