Oakland police searching for suspects who shot man, girl
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Police are searching for a suspect accused of shooting a young girl and a man in East Oakland on Friday evening. The shooting happened near 66th Avenue and International Boulevard.
Oakland's Mayor Jean Quan told ABC7 News that anytime a child is the victim of street violence, it becomes a high priority for her administration and for the police department.
The girl was shot in the neck and remains in critical condition.
As police combed through the crime scene for evidence in this shooting, the neighborhood quickly learned a child was one of the victims of this drive-by shooting.
"I'm not sure which kid it is yet. OK, but I know there's a couple of kids outside that's usually here. If it was a kid outta there, it means they were walking with somebody they know," neighbor Derrick Freeman said.
The 8-year-old victim was playing on her front porch when she was hit by stray gunfire. Her 8-year-old brother was just feet away, but was not hit.
According to our media partner the Oakland Tribune, the intended victim of this shooting was a 47-year-old man who was hit in the groin and leg and is expected to survive.
Neighbors say he was standing in the front yard, four houses away. Police say a car pulled over just feet from where that man was standing.
"At least two individuals exited the vehicle and fired multiple rounds, back north bound, striking our victims," Oakland Police Department Lt. Freddie Hamilton said.
Oakland police have not released further details about the gunmen, a possible motive, or the identity of their intended victim.
He was rushed to Highland Hospital and is expected to survive.
Quan says police will be making extra efforts at catching the shooters because of the 8-year-old girl who was caught in the line of fire.
"This is going to be the police department's top priority this week, we have investigators in the field, we want people to come forward and tell us what they know," Quan said.
The girl would be celebrating her birthday on Sunday, but she's now fighting for her life at Children's Hospital Oakland.
