(KRON) — The day after the fatal attempted robbery at an East Oakland cash-for-jewelry pawn shop, the Oakland Police Department announced homicide charges against the surviving suspects. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee is also speaking out about the violent incident.
The incident happened just before 7:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 7100 block of International Boulevard when several masked suspects tried to rob Eddy Oakland Cash 4 Gold. Police said five of the suspects were struck by gunfire. Two died of their injuries Wednesday night and the other three were taken to nearby hospitals. An employee of the business was also shot and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to the police chief.
OPD said it was alerted by an alarm at Eddy Cash 4 Gold, followed by multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting. When officers arrived, they found seven people inside the store. Five were involved in the attempted robbery, and two were employees, police said.
“The follow-up investigation has revealed that five suspects entered the business and began to insult the employees inside,” OPD said at a Thursday afternoon press conference. “Some of these robbers were armed with firearms. The employees likewise armed themselves and an exchange of gunfire occurred between the two parties. Upon OPD arrival, two of the suspects were found suffering from severe gunshot wounds.”
One suspect died at the scene. Officers attempted life-saving measures on another suspect, but they later succumbed to their injuries.
The three remaining suspects each suffered a “survivable gunshot wound” and were treated at local hospitals before being brought in for questioning. One employee also suffered a minor injury.
All of the suspects are from Stockton and include four men and one juvenile. Two of the adults were killed, and police said they are not seeking additional suspects. The case remains open in cooperation with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
The three surviving suspects have been booked on suspicion of murder and attempted robbery, according to OPD.
“Due to the violence and the intent of the robbers in initiating this crime, and the subsequent deaths, the suspects have been booked on those charges and the full case will presented to the District Attorney’s office for consideration,” said OPD Deputy Chief Nicholas Calonge. “Because of the nature of the act and the attempt robbery, the underline felony, the conduct, then the subsequent deaths of the suspects – we believe that their compatriots are thereby responsible for those deaths and were therefore booked on homicide charges.”
Mayor Barbara Lee also released a statement to KRON4:
“Last night’s attempted robbery at the Cash 4 Gold store by suspects from outside Oakland that resulted in two deaths and four injuries is tragic, unacceptable and outrageous,” said Mayor Lee. “Oakland Police have confirmed that all five suspects involved in this incident were from outside our city.”
Mayor Lee added, “While this tragic event highlights the broader regional challenges we face, it also underscores our commitment to protecting Oakland’s residents, workers, and business owners who deserve to be safe and feel safe in their own community. We remain committed to our public safety investments and working around the clock with law enforcement and community partners.”
This is an active case. Anyone with information is asked to contact OPD’s Homicide unit at (510) 238-3821 or call the tip line at (510) 238-7950.
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