Mother, 13-year-old daughter fatally shot in Oakland
OAKLAND, Calif. - A 13-year-old girl and her mother were shot and killed last night at an apartment in East Oakland.
Desiree Jenkins and her mother, 44-year-old Rebecca Jenkins were allegedly shot and killed by Rebecca's boyfriend during an argument between the two. The Oakland Police Department said another child was shot and taken to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland.
Family and friends say the other child shot was Desiree's best friend.
It happened just after 11 p.m. Saturday night on Birch Street near 94th Avenue.
Desiree was a student at Montera Middle School and was having a sleepover with her best friend when the two were shot.
Two other children, a 7-year-old and an infant were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting but were unharmed.
KTVU has learned the mother's boyfriend, 46-year-old Antonio Lamont Powell, was arrested on suspicion of murder and assault with a firearm.
Denise Jenkins spoke with KTVU with the permission of her father and grandmother. The 15-year-old was there when the shooting happened.
"I gotta stay strong for the little ones and step up," said Denise.
Denise lost her mom and her 13-year-old sister in what family members are calling a tragic case of domestic violence.
"They were having a little argument, but I didn’t think it would go this far," said Denise.
Denise said Saturday night, she was home with her mom, her mom’s boyfriend, her three younger sisters, and Desiree’s best friend who was there for a sleepover. Just after 11 p.m., Denise heard gunshots.
"Basically I was laying in bed and I just hear multiple gunshots. So my instinct just got up because I need to make sure everything is ok. That’s just how I am. And then I saw him just screaming raging, not saying no words, just raging," said Denise.
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She ran to a bedroom and called 911. Rebecca and Desiree were killed. Desiree’s friend was also hit by gunfire – and was later taken to the hospital for treatment.
In a Facebook message, Desiree’s father Jaron Jenkins wrote, "Denise was a respectful, lovable, energetic go-getter."
He also called her a "future entrepreneur" and said she wanted to own her own hair salon one day.
"She was a very kind person. She wasn’t rude or nothing. She was there for people," said Denise. "She loved braiding hair. She was good at it."
Denise also wants people to know her mom was always there for her.
"She would stand up for us. She was there for us. She treated us well. Even if she didn’t have enough for us, she always got us what we wanted."