Police said Thursday that fifteen people were shot after an illegal “sideshow” disrupted a peaceful Juneteenth celebration in Oakland, California.
Authorities are searching for multiple shooters as more than 50 shell casings were found at the scene of the violence that occurred Wednesday night at Lake Merritt. However, no arrests had been made by Thursday afternoon.
Approximately 20 vehicles, mostly all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes, arrived around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday and initiated a sideshow on the north side of the lake while 5,000 people were attending the Juneteenth event.
Sideshows, also referred to as street takeovers, involve dangerous stunts such as doughnuts, drifting, and burnouts. These events often attract large crowds, block intersections, and make it challenging for law enforcement to intervene. The issue of street takeovers has become widespread in cities across the US, including Oakland.
Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell mentioned during a press conference on Thursday that an individual walked across the hood of a sideshow vehicle, prompting multiple occupants to exit the vehicle and assault the person, resulting in their hospitalization.
Several individuals in the crowd also reportedly attacked police officers. One woman was arrested for assaulting an officer while he was providing aid to a gunshot victim.
Investigators are now scouring social media for clues about the identities of the shooters, according to Mitchell.
Among the victims, at least one was in critical condition, with ages ranging from 20 to 30 years old. Some sustained injuries such as the loss of fingers and minor gunshot wounds.
“The joy of celebrating with loved ones should never be overshadowed by gunfire,” Mitchell stated.
June 19, or Juneteenth, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved individuals in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom following the end of the Civil War and two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021 and has gained broader recognition beyond the Black community. Many people have the day off from work or school, and numerous street festivals, fairs, concerts, and other events are organized.
In 2021, a shooting during a Juneteenth celebration at Lake Merritt resulted in multiple injuries and the death of a 22-year-old man from San Francisco.
