Maria Climaco is a woman in pain. Her son Aya was shot and killed in Oakland in June just one day before his 23rd birthday. His case remains unsolved.
"There have been an additional 22 homicides since Aya's incident, and they're short staffed," Climaco said.
On the night of June 12, Nakano was on the way home and less than a mile from where he lived when police say he was rear-ended near the corner of Market Street and Stanford Avenue.
"He got out of the car to exchange information with the other party," Climaco said.
Investigators say traffic cameras captured two men in a silver, newer model sedan, confronting Nakano and shooting him one time. So far, police have not located the car or identified a suspect.
"So, I have the sense that the Oakland Police Department is perpetually catching up and they're being out paced and out run by criminals," Climaco said.
Oakland City Councilmember Libby Schaaf serves on the public safety committee. She admits there are not enough cops and says staffing the police department is a priority.
"The solve rate in Oakland is absolutely unacceptably low," she said.
ABC7 News has learned there are only 13 detectives, juggling more than 50 open cases from this year and over 100 from last year. The city plans to hire 31 civilians to help.
"These civilian positions include evidence technicians and crime lab analysts who are part of the investigation and crime solving team," Schaaf said.
More than 800 fliers have been printed and billboards display a reward of $35,000 for information leading to an arrest.
"I want the public to know about Aya because I want them to care," Climaco said.
Oakland police say they are continuing to investigate Nakano's death and are committed to identifying and arresting those responsible.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Oakland Police at 510-238-3821 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572. You can also donate to the Aya Nakano Reward Fund.
