Armed suspect surrenders to police after hours-long standoff at Oakland business

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- After a six hour standoff, Oakland Police arrested an armed gunman who had barricaded himself inside a shoe store in Fruitvale, taking one of the employees hostage.

The suspect was wanted in connection with a triple shooting that left two men dead on October 14 on 84th Avenue in Oakland, according to Oakland Police Deputy Chief LeRonne Armstrong.

"Today is the culmination of a traumatic event," said Armstrong.

The standoff began around 11:15 a.m. after police say they received information the suspect was in the area.

When officers arrived to WSS Shoes on the 1600 block of High Street they evacuated the nearby businesses and created a six-block perimeter.

Inside the store, police say the armed suspect had taken one of the employees hostage. At one point, police heard a gunshot from inside.

Around 1:50 p.m. the suspect released the hostage safely. Police said the hostage was uninjured.

However, the suspect remained agitated and fired at least five more rounds through the back of the store, according to Officer Johnna Watson.

"He tried to shoot the wall down!" Said Bernardo Montiel, who works at a neighboring insurance business.

After he was let back in, Montiel said the bullets had gone through the back of the shoe store and into his business.

"It hit the backroom and one of the bullets hit this room as well," said Montiel, pointing the front of the business. Thankfully, he says, everyone had been evacuated.

Police were able to coax the suspect out of the business around 5 p.m. without incident. Watson said a high-powered firearm was recovered.

Police did not release any details about the suspect, other than his alleged involvement in the triple shooting that left two men dead last week.

Oakland Police Deputy Chief LeRonne Armstrong said they have made other arrests connected to it as well and continue to investigate.

"We will continue to demonstrate to our community that we are serious about reducing the violence. And for those responsible for the violence, we will take you into custody," said Armstrong.