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Five officers were shot within a two-hour time period Saturday. It all started at 74th and MacArthur during a traffic stop by two motorcycle officers. The suspect, 26-year old Lovelle Mixon, shot the officers then fled the scene.
An intense manhunt ensued with calls for mutual aid going out and air support from both the California Highway Patrol and Alameda County.
A heavily-armed SWAT team searched buildings within a ten-block radius of the shooting. Oakland police blocked off all access between 73rd and 79th Avenues, and between Bancroft and Outlook Avenues.
Police say around 3:00 p.m. an anonymous citizen reported a suspect barricaded at an apartment building at 74th and Hillside. SWAT members raided that building and as they did two more officers were gunned down. A third officer who was grazed by a bullet was treated and released.
"The person responsible for shooting at the two officers, were barricaded at an apartment located close to this area. A subsequent search of the apartment building, our SWAT team was called in, and during the search for the suspect the suspect fired and struck two more officers. And, they were transported to Highland Hospital in critical condition also. The officers returned fire in defense of their lives and the suspect was deceased," said Howard Johnson, Oakland's interim police chief.
The slain officers were identified as Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40, who was killed at the first shooting. The two members of the SWAT team who were killed at the second location were Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43, Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35, and officer John Hege, 41, who was pronounced brain dead Sunday.
Memorials and Vigils for officers
The community has created a spontaneous memorial of flowers, flags and notes at the door step of the Oakland police department.
Today, people can start signing a book of condolence at Oakland City Hall. The book will be available daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m..
A vigil to honor the fallen officers will take place Tuesday evening, at the scene of the shootings. That will begin at 6 p.m., at 74th Avenue and Macarthur Boulevard.
Later today, Oakland police will also announce how the public can make donations to support the families of fallen officers. They are making arrangements for local banks to set up accounts for that purpose. ABC7 will bring you details on that information as soon as it becomes available.
Trust funds for fallen officers
Trust funds have been established for the fallen officers. People who wish to make contributions to the funds have two options:
1. Individual Checks made out to families and mailed to c/o OPOA:
Attn: Rennee Hassna
555 5th Street
Oakland Ca, 94607
Checks should be made out to the following:
a. Dunakin Children's Family Trust
b. Romans Children's Family Trust
c. Sakai Family Trust
2. Wire transfers directly to Merrill Lynch Accounts:
a. Dunakin Children's Family Trust a/c #204-04065
b. Romans Children's Family Trust a/c #204-04066
c. Sakai Family Trust a/c #204-04064
Mehserle hearing postponed for shootings
Because of the Oakland police shootings, a judge has decided to postpone today's preliminary hearing in the case of the BART police officer accused in the deadly shooting of an unarmed man.
The judge held a conference call with prosecutors and defense attorneys in the case against former officer Johannes Mehserle. He's charged in the fatal shooting of 22-year old Oscar Grant on New Year's Day. All parties will appear this morning in court to hear the motion to delay the hearing until May 18th.
Schwarzenegger in Oakland on Sunday
Governor Schwarzenegger was in Oakland on Sunday. He had no comment to the public, but he did talk to the police and city leaders. Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums gave some detail about the governor's meeting.
"The governor did indicate that the state of California was going to assist in providing some reward money, but the details on that -- I'm not aware of," said Dellums.
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