OAKLAND – At least a dozen and possibly more were injured when gunfire rang out during a sideshow Wednesday night near Lake Merritt, according to authorities.
The violent episode followed a peaceful Juneteenth celebration that drew around 5,000 people near the lake earlier in the evening.
Around 8:15 p.m., a sideshow involving motorcycles and vehicles happened at Grand and Bellevue avenues, Oakland police spokesperson Paul Chambers said at a news conference. Between 2,000 and 3,000 people were present at the sideshow, he said.
Oakland police officers respond to a multiple shooting during a Juneteenth celebration near Lake Merritt on Grand and Bellevue avenues in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland police officers respond to a multiple shooting during a Juneteenth celebration near Lake Merritt on Grand and Bellevue avenues in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
An Oakland police officer talks on a cellphone as they investigate a multiple shooting during a Juneteenth celebration near Lake Merritt on Grand and Bellevue avenues in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland police officers respond to a multiple shooting during a Juneteenth celebration near Lake Merritt on Grand and Bellevue avenues in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland police information officer Paul Chambers addresses members of the media as they investigate a multiple shooting that occurred during a Juneteenth celebration near Lake Merritt on Grand and Bellevue avenues in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland police officers respond to a multiple shooting during a Juneteenth celebration near Lake Merritt on Grand and Bellevue avenues in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
People stand near the crime scene tape as Oakland police officers investigate a multiple shooting during a Juneteenth celebration near Lake Merritt on Grand and Bellevue avenues in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland police officers stand guard as their fellow officers investigate a multiple shooting during a Juneteenth celebration near Lake Merritt on Grand and Bellevue avenues in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A fight broke out during the sideshow and multiple people were shot, Chambers said.
The injured in the incident, were taken to area hospitals, authorities said. Police did not immediately specify the nature of the other injuries. A 23-year-old man who is an Oakland resident was in critical condition, police said.
“At this time, we do not know of anyone who was pronounced deceased,” Chambers told reporters shortly before midnight Thursday.
The gunshots sent the crowd running for cover. Chambers said officers were hit by people fleeing the scene as the officers were trying to direct them to safety. At least one person was taken into custody.
A detail of 28 officers and four sergeants was already in the area for the Juneteenth celebration, Chambers said.
“We wanted to make sure people had a safe time, but unfortunately that did not happen,” he said.
This is a developing report. Check back for updates.
