Oakland, Calif. – Three teenagers fell victim to separate shootings in Oakland, prompting investigations by local authorities and a plea for public assistance in solving the homicides.

Tragic Incidents Unfold

The tragic events unfolded early Monday morning. The first shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. in the 900 block of Filbert Street in West Oakland. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 16-year-old boy with gunshot wounds. Despite efforts, the boy succumbed to his injuries at the scene, as confirmed by Frederick Shavies, acting deputy chief.

Approximately 30 minutes later, in the 1300 block of 102nd Avenue near International Boulevard in East Oakland, another shooting took place. This time, both a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old were shot. The 17-year-old was rushed to Children’s Hospital Oakland but tragically passed away, while the 18-year-old was pronounced dead at Highland Hospital in Oakland. Authorities clarified that the two shootings were unrelated.

Rise in Homicides

These devastating incidents mark the 38th, 39th, and 40th homicides in Oakland this year, showcasing a concerning trend. However, there has been a slight decrease compared to the same period in 2023, which recorded 46 homicides.

To lose three young men just getting started on life, I think is tragic, expressed Shavies, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He reiterated the need for collaborative efforts with community leaders and the city’s Department of Violence Prevention to address the underlying issues contributing to such violence.

Community Response

Pastor Billy Dixon Jr., representing At Thy Word Ministries and the city’s Ceasefire program, advocates for collective action to tackle gun violence. We all need to get together and solve this problem of how we get the guns off the street, remarked Dixon, highlighting the urgency of the matter.

Expressing sorrow over the loss of young lives, Dixon lamented, taken lives off the street that haven’t had a chance to live, that haven’t had a chance to make a mistake, that haven’t had a chance to go to school and try.

Call for Cooperation

In the wake of these tragedies, there is a renewed call for cooperation from both authorities and the community to address the root causes of violence and prevent further loss of life.

Connect with Henry Lee

Henry Lee, a prominent KTVU crime reporter, covers developments on this issue and others. For more updates, reach out to Henry at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan.

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