Fifteen individuals were shot during an illegal “sideshow” that disrupted a peaceful Juneteenth celebration in Oakland, California, as reported by the police on Thursday.
Authorities are searching for multiple shooters, as more than 50 shell casings were found at the location of the violence on Wednesday night at Lake Merritt. However, no arrests had been made by Thursday afternoon.
Approximately 20 vehicles, primarily all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes, arrived at around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday and initiated a sideshow on the north side of the lake while 5,000 individuals were participating in the Juneteenth event.
Sideshows, also known as street takeovers, involve stunts like doughnuts, drifting, and burnouts. These events usually attract hundreds of spectators. Cars block off intersections, halting traffic in all directions and complicating police response. This issue has become widespread across the country, including in Oakland and other cities.
Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell mentioned during a news conference on Thursday that one individual walked on top of a sideshow vehicle. Multiple occupants emerged and assaulted the individual, resulting in injuries that required hospitalization.
Furthermore, some people in the crowd assaulted police officers as reported by Mitchell. A woman was apprehended for assaulting an officer while the officer was providing first aid to a gunshot victim.
Detectives are utilizing social media to identify the shooters, according to Mitchell.
At least one gunshot victim was in critical condition. The age of the victims ranged from 20 to 30 years old, with injuries including the loss of fingers and minor gunshot wounds.
“The joy of celebrating with your loved ones should never be overshadowed by gunfire,” Mitchell expressed.
June 19, or Juneteenth, signifies the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned about their liberation—after the Civil War’s end, and two years following President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday in 2021 and has gained broader recognition beyond the Black community. Many individuals have the day off from work or school, with various street festivals, fairs, concerts, and other activities taking place.
In 2021, a shooting incident occurred during a Juneteenth celebration at Lake Merritt, resulting in multiple injuries and the death of a 22-year-old individual from San Francisco.
