A Juneteenth celebration in Oakland, California, took a tragic turn on Wednesday night when multiple people were shot. The event, held at Lake Merritt, was largely peaceful with an estimated 5,000 attendees. However, around 8:15 pm, a sideshow involving motorbikes and vehicles erupted on the north side of the lake, according to a police news release.
A fight broke out down the street from the sideshow, drawing a crowd to the area. As the fight escalated, multiple shots rang out at 8:45 pm, said Paul Chambers, OPD’s strategic communications manager. While the exact number of injured individuals remains unclear, police confirmed that several people were struck by gunfire and transported to a hospital. Thankfully, there were no reported deaths.
As officers attempted to secure the scene and ensure the safety of the crowd, they were met with resistance. Several individuals assaulted OPD officers, resulting in the arrest of at least one person for assaulting an officer. The number of officers attacked was not disclosed.
A significant police presence, including over two dozen police vehicles and multiple ambulances, converged on the scene. According to KTVU-TV, 28 officers and four sergeants were deployed to monitor the event.
Some participants in the celebration expressed their frustration with the police response, alleging that officers did not react quickly enough to assist those injured in the shooting.
This incident marks the second shooting at a Juneteenth celebration at Lake Merritt in recent years. In 2021, a shooting at a similar event left several injured and resulted in the death of a 22-year-old San Francisco man.
The investigation into Wednesday night’s shooting is ongoing.
