Every neighborhood has its morning rhythms, but last Thursday in East Oakland, mine was interrupted by a chorus of sirens—a jolt more potent than my first cup of coffee. I live not far from 98th Avenue, and when the news of another double shooting broke, it hit close to home in more ways than one. Let's pull back the caution tape and examine what unfolded just across from a neighborhood park, and what it means for the East Oakland community.
Brief Recap: The Shooting Incident at 98th Avenue
In the early hours of Thursday morning, the usual calm of East Oakland was shattered by a deadly shooting incident at a local gas station near 98th Avenue and C Street. This Oakland shooting incident quickly drew the attention of both the Oakland Police Department and the wider community, as it resulted in the deaths of two men and marked a grim milestone in the city’s ongoing struggle with gun violence.
Early Morning Violence at an East Oakland Gas Station
The fatal shooting victims were discovered at an East Oakland gas station, a location typically frequented by commuters and residents from the nearby residential area and adjacent park. According to police reports, the shooting incident Thursday occurred just after sunrise, trading the neighborhood’s early morning quiet for the chaos of a crime scene.
- Time: Early Thursday morning
- Location: Gas station at 98th Avenue and C Street, East Oakland
- Victims: Two men, identities pending notification of families
- Incident Type: Double homicide, multiple gunshot wounds
Witnesses described a rapid escalation, with multiple shots fired and the victims left with critical injuries. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities have not yet been released, as authorities are working to notify their families.
Heavy Police Presence and Immediate Response
Aerial footage and on-the-ground reports showed a significant law enforcement response. The area around 98th Avenue and C Street was swiftly cordoned off, with yellow police tape blocking access to the gas station and surrounding streets. The Oakland Police Department, along with emergency medical teams, worked to secure the scene and gather evidence.
The swift and visible police action reflected ongoing safety concerns in the area. Officers canvassed the neighborhood for witnesses and potential surveillance footage, while detectives began their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Community Impact and Police Appeal
This shooting incident Thursday has left a deep impact on the East Oakland community, especially given its proximity to homes and a local park. Residents expressed shock and concern as police and media surrounded the gas station, transforming a familiar corner into a focal point of tragedy.
Events like this are a sobering reminder of the work we must do to improve community safety.
— Oakland Police Chief
The Oakland Police Department has urged anyone with information about the Oakland shooting incident to come forward. Community tips are considered vital in helping detectives piece together what led to the fatal shooting and in identifying any suspects involved.
Rising Numbers: Oakland’s Homicide Statistics in 2024
This double homicide at 98th Avenue and C Street marks the 56th and 57th homicides in Oakland for 2024. While the city continues to grapple with gun violence, there is a slight downward trend compared to previous years. As of this incident, Oakland has seen 86 homicides year-to-date, compared to 126 in the same period in 2023.
| Year | Homicides (YTD) |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 126 |
| 2024 | 86 |
Despite the decrease, each fatal shooting victim represents a life lost and a family affected. The incident at 98th Avenue underscores the ongoing need for community engagement and effective policing strategies in East Oakland and across the city.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the Oakland shooting incident remains active. Police are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and following up on leads. The identities of the two men killed will be released once their families have been notified.
If you have any information about the shooting at 98th Avenue and C Street, the Oakland Police Department encourages you to contact their tip line. Your input could be crucial in bringing justice to the victims and their loved ones.
Inside the Investigation: Police Response and Community Impact
Police Investigation in Oakland: Securing the Scene
When the double shooting on 98th Avenue in East Oakland was reported, the Oakland Police Department responded within minutes. You could see the urgency as multiple patrol vehicles arrived, their lights flashing in the early evening. Officers quickly established a police cordon area around the crime scene, using yellow tape to keep bystanders and residents at a safe distance. This immediate police presence at the scene is standard in a shooting investigation, ensuring evidence is preserved and the area remains secure for detectives and forensic teams.
The police investigation in Oakland follows a strict protocol. Officers canvassed the area for witnesses, checked for surveillance cameras, and began collecting physical evidence. Despite these efforts, the Oakland Police Department has not yet released any information about possible suspects or motives. This lack of detail is common in the early stages of a shooting investigation, but it often leads to speculation and uncertainty among residents.
Opaque Investigations and Community Frustration
You might notice that official statements from the police are often limited. While this protects the integrity of the investigation, it can also create frustration in the community. Residents want answers, and when those answers are slow to come, rumors and mistrust can spread quickly. As one East Oakland local resident shared:
When incidents like this occur so close to home, it shakes our sense of normalcy.
This feeling is common in neighborhoods that experience frequent gun violence. Even as the Oakland Police Department works to solve cases, the lack of immediate transparency can make residents feel left out of the process.
Community Impact: Fear and Cautious Optimism
Gun violence in East Oakland is not new, but each incident adds another layer of anxiety. The sound of sirens, the sight of police tape, and the presence of investigators become part of daily life. For many, this constant threat changes routines—parents keep children indoors, neighbors check in on each other more often, and everyone becomes more alert to unusual activity.
Despite these challenges, there is a sense of cautious optimism. Homicide numbers in Oakland have improved: there have been 86 homicides year-to-date in 2024, compared to 126 in 2023. While this decline is encouraging, the fear remains significant. Each new shooting, especially a double homicide like the one on 98th Avenue, reminds residents that the risk is still very real.
Police Outreach and the Need for Community Cooperation
To advance the investigation, the Oakland Police Department is actively encouraging residents to come forward with information. Officers have distributed flyers, spoken with community leaders, and used social media to ask for tips. You are urged to contact the police if you saw or heard anything unusual around the time of the shooting. Even small details can help detectives piece together what happened.
- Witnesses can call the Oakland Police Department Homicide Section at (510) 238-3821.
- Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Oakland at (510) 777-8572.
This outreach is vital. Both police and residents agree that witness cooperation is key to solving cases and restoring trust. The more information investigators receive, the better their chances of finding those responsible and preventing future violence.
Everyday Life Under the Shadow of Violence
Frequent shootings inject fear into everyday routines. Simple acts—walking to the store, waiting for the bus, or letting children play outside—are now weighed against the risk of violence. The community’s resilience is tested with each new incident, but so is its determination to reclaim a sense of safety.
The Oakland Police Department continues to balance the need for a thorough investigation with the community’s demand for answers. As the investigation into the 98th Avenue double shooting unfolds, the hope is that increased cooperation and communication will help bring closure to those affected and strengthen the neighborhood’s resolve.
Beyond the Headlines: Oakland’s Ongoing Battle with Gun Violence
When you read about another double shooting in East Oakland—like the recent tragedy on 98th Avenue that marked the city’s 56th and 57th homicides of 2024—it’s easy to see only the numbers. Homicide statistics in Oakland are often front and center in news reports, and this year, the city has recorded 86 homicides so far, compared to 126 at the same time last year. On paper, these shooting decline statistics suggest progress. But if you live in these neighborhoods, the reality is far more complicated.
For many Oakland residents, especially in East Oakland, every headline about shooting fatalities is a reminder of the ongoing threat that shadows daily life. Even as city officials highlight the downward trend in homicide statistics, the sense of safety in the community remains fragile. Gas stations, parks, and street corners—places meant for everyday life—are still too often the backdrop for violence. The shooting victims in Oakland are not just numbers; they are fathers, daughters, neighbors, and friends. Each loss sends ripples through families and communities, leaving behind grief and unanswered questions.
You might hear officials say that the city is making progress, and in some ways, they’re right. The drop from 126 homicides in 2023 to 86 so far in 2024 is significant. But for those who live with the daily reality of gun violence, these improved stats aren’t always felt at the street level. Public frustration is growing, as residents see the headlines but don’t always experience the change in their own neighborhoods. As one community advocate put it,
Numbers matter, but every life lost makes tomorrow feel less certain.
Media coverage of shooting fatalities in Oakland remains high, but some residents feel that the stories of victims and survivors get lost in the shuffle of frequent incidents. Each headline masks deeper stories of loss, interrupted lives, and communities struggling to heal. The families of the men killed on 98th Avenue are now part of a club no one wants to join—one defined by grief, anger, and a longing for answers.
Local advocates are pushing for more resources and violence prevention programs, urging neighbors not to become numb to the statistics. They warn that focusing only on numbers can make it easy to forget the human cost of every shooting. In East Oakland and beyond, community groups are working to support victims’ families, mentor at-risk youth, and create safe spaces. Their message is clear: real change requires more than just improved homicide statistics in Oakland—it demands investment, compassion, and a refusal to accept violence as normal.
Comparing this year’s shooting decline statistics to previous years does hint at progress, but it’s important to remember that every loss deeply affects families and bystanders alike. The pain of losing a loved one to gun violence doesn’t fade with improved numbers. Instead, it lingers in empty chairs at family gatherings, in the silence left behind by a friend who won’t return, and in the fear that tomorrow could bring another tragedy.
As Oakland continues to grapple with gun violence, the challenge is to look beyond the headlines and see the people behind the statistics. The city’s ongoing battle is not just about reducing numbers—it’s about restoring trust, safety, and hope in communities that have carried the burden of loss for too long. Residents want more than reassurance from city officials; they want to see real change in their neighborhoods, where every life is valued and protected.
In the end, the story of the East Oakland double shooting at 98th Avenue is not just about two more names added to the year’s homicide statistics. It’s a call to action for everyone in Oakland—to remember that behind every number is a life, a family, and a future cut short. The fight against gun violence is far from over, but with continued attention, resources, and community resolve, there is hope that tomorrow’s headlines will tell a different story.
