October 7, 2021 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

OAKLAND – Tragically overnight, a child was murdered, bringing the homicide total to 109 for the year:

#109 – In the early hours of October 7th, a 15-year-old girl was riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle driving in the 5000 block of Bancroft Ave. An unknown suspect fired shots into the vehicle, striking and killing the 15-year-old.

“The tragedy of a 15-year-old’s life being extinguished on an Oakland street, epitomizes the violence our city’s residents and police officers are seeing daily. Oakland’s hardworking but dwindling ranks of police officers are striving to bring justice to the families of those impacted by homicide, have responded to over 575 shootings so far this year, and recovered almost 1,000 firearms. All despite the lack of support from the majority of Oakland’s city council that voted to defund the police and remain silent in the face of these violent tragedies. When are Oakland residents going to hold their elected officials accountable for the violence on our streets?” said Oakland Police Officers' Association President Barry Donelan.  

There are 86 days left in 2021, and Oakland has already equaled the total number of homicides for 2020, 109. In 2019, Oakland had 75 homicides. Oakland’s city council must stand up, decry the violence, and make the safety of Oakland citizens its top priority. Oakland Police officers look forward to joining the community they serve to prevent any more senseless murders.