2 killed after shooting, crash on EB I-580 in Oakland, authorities say

Officers responded Wednesday night to an injury crash; learned that the vehicle involved had been shot at prior to the crash
Thursday, May 19, 2022
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Two people are dead after a shooting led to a rollover crash on eastbound Interstate 580 in Oakland on Wednesday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash happened on eastbound I-580 at Seminary Avenue, and authorities learned the car involved had been shot at just prior to the crash.

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All four individuals were then taken to the hospital.

"So it's almost like you're rolling the dice every time you get on the freeway. People drive these freeways in fear myself included," said Doug Harris. Harris's close friend Gene Ransom was shot and killed along I-880 in Oakland three months ago.

Fast forward to Wednesday night.

"Passerby heard shots fired four times and then heard the, maybe related to shots fired eastbound 580 west of Seminary," is what could be heard on scanner traffic.

First, reports of gunfire in this area near I-580 and Seminary in Oakland.

Then a vehicle crash in the area. Three out of four people inside had gunshot wounds.

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Scanner traffic continued:

"One individual with one gunshot wound to the upper left shoulder and one to the head. He is awake and conscious, advising it happened on city streets need OPD as well."

Two of the four people in the car died at the hospital and no arrests have been made. CHP is investigating and says the shooting incident happened on I-580 but hasn't said specifically where the shots were fired.

"We believe there was some shooting in the area of Lake Merritt involving this vehicle, the driver of that vehicle then tried to transfer those injured people to Highland Hospital and in route to Highland Hospital we believe he most likely crashed and rolled over," said Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern.

Sheriff Ahern made a trip to Sacramento Tuesday and met with state officials in the governor's office about getting cameras.

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He says Wednesday's shooting shows not only the importance for cameras, which have already been approved but the need to install them as soon as possible.

As to who is behind these continued shootings.

"We've identified in excess of 80 street gangs in the city of Oakland that are somewhat connected to this violence, mostly three identified gangs that are responsible for most of the shootings," said Sheriff Ahern.

"Every time I drive on 880 you know I kind of cringe up when I drive the area on Oak Street where my friend Gene Ransom got murdered," said Harris.

RELATED: Oakland leaders demanding solutions after I-880 shooting that killed 23-month-old boy

ABC7 News reached out to the governor's office Thursday and asked when we could see highway cameras installed. They relayed that message to Caltrans who have not gotten back to us.

No suspect descriptions have been put out there regarding this I-580 shooting. Law enforcement urging any witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the CHP's tip line at (707) 917-4491.

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