Oakland police shoot, injure suspect who they say made threats with handgun

Oakland Police exchange gunfire with suspect after he made threats

Oakland police exchanged gunfire with a suspect who had been making threats and pointing a gun at residents in an East Oakland neighborhood. The suspect fled on foot through backyards before being apprehended. He suffered minor injuries and no officers were hurt.

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland Police Department has now confirmed their officers exchanged gunfire with a suspect who was allegedly making threats with a handgun on Monday afternoon.

The shootout

What we know:

The crime-scene investigation unfolded in East Oakland's Highland neighborhood at around 4:30 p.m.

Assistant Police Chief James Beere said officers received calls at around 4 p.m. from people who reported seeing a man on the street making threats with a handgun on 92nd Avenue near G Street.

When officers arrived, police said the suspect took off and ran a short distance.

Oakland police open fire on suspect they say made threats with a gun

Police in Oakland say they exchanged gunfire with a suspect who they say made threats with a handgun on Monday afternoon.

"Gunfire was exchanged. The subject continued to flee on foot, and officers gave chase. They encountered him again, exchanged gunfire a second time, and shortly thereafter, he was taken into custody with minor injuries," said Beere.

The suspect is expected to survive.

Police did not specify who fired their weapon first.

Video from the Citizen app showed a large police presence in the area of E Street and 92nd Avenue.

Police said the suspect attempted to flee through backyards before officers apprehended him.

Ricky Galvez, who was working inside a bus nearby, described the moment he heard the shots.

"All of a sudden, we just hear some popping, we're used to hearing fireworks out here all the time, but then we realize that's more than a few quick pops, that's actual shooting, and then instantly we hear sirens and we just book it inside," said Galvez.

Crime-scene investigation in Oakland

The Oakland Police Department are at an apparent crime-scene investigation in Oakland at 92nd Avenue and E Street. This is where a large police presence is blocking streets in a neighborhood.

A bystander's blue, four-door sedan could be seen within the crime scene tape.

The car had bullet holes in the front passenger seat window and shattered glass. The occupant of that car was not injured.

Pablo Flores, who said his father’s car was caught in the crossfire, expressed his shock at the incident.

"I get a call from my dad that he was almost killed, which really surprised and I saw images of his car shot," he said.

Ella Pennewell was in her bedroom when the gunfire erupted.

"I heard the shots, and then when the police knocked on my door, they showed me the bullet hole in my window and wall," she said.

No officers were injured in this shooting.

Oakland Police Department activity in the at E Street and 92nd Ave. February 24, 2025. Image courtesy Citizen App.

SkyFOX flew overhead for a better vantage point.

"Officer-involved shootings are not common," said Beere. "Obviously, the community called. They helped prevent, I believe, a possible homicide. But actually, officers exchanging gunfire with suspects is not very common."

Police initially posted about the incident shortly before 5 p.m. At the time, they described this as "police activity" on the 900 block of 90th Ave.

The shooting follows an unrelated incident early Monday morning, when a suspect opened fire on an Oakland Housing Authority officer during a traffic stop.

Newly elected councilmember Ken Houston commented on the ongoing violence in the area.

"It just shows that our community is in dire need, they're crying out for help," he said. "District 7 has been underserved for years. We've always been left out last and that's not going to happen any longer under my watch, we're going to bring in resources."

The Source: KTVU interviews, OPD