Protest held in Oakland over DA's handling of Jasper Wu case
Protesters demand justice for Jasper Wu; worry D.A. will drop charging enhancements against alleged killers
Close to 100 people gathered at the Alameda County courthouse on Monday to protest District Attorney Pamela Price in regards to the case of Jasper Wu, the toddler who was slain in a freeway shooting. The protesters, predominantly from the AAPI community shouted for Price to do her job and are concerned she may remove some enhancement charges against Jaspers accused killers.
OAKLAND, Calif. - Shouting "justice for Jasper," "do your job!" and "victims come first," protestors sounded off on Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price on Monday over concerns about how she's handing the emotionally charged Jasper Wu case.
The crowd of close to 100 people, many from the Oakland AAPI community, gathered for the demonstration on the steps of the Alameda County courthouse near Lake Merritt.
Wu, 2, was fatally struck by a stray bullet during a rolling gun battle between alleged San Francisco gang members in November 2021.
Former district attorney Nancy O'Malley charged three suspects, Trevor Green, 22, Ivory Bivins, 24, and Johnny Jackson, 28, with charges including murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle, gun charges and gang conspiracy enhancements.
Price ran on a progressive platform, emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment before being sworn in at the beginning of the year.
In a new policy memo obtained by KTVU, Price recently directed her line prosecutors to not charge any enhancement or special circumstances except in "exceptional circumstances."
Supporters of Wu's family are concerned Price will eliminate the enhancements against Green, Bivins and Jackson, reducing their potential punishments and weakening the case against the defendants.
Butch Ford, a veteran prosecutor in Alameda County who is on leave, called out his boss, Pamela Price, at the protest.
"This is about victims," he said. "This is about the safety of our community."
ALSO: 3 gang members charged in Oakland highway shooting death of toddler Jasper Wu
The widow of slain security guard Kevin Nishita attended the rally.
"I don't know if the DA office is being truthful with me regarding Kevin's case, so I am going to show my face," said Virginia Nishita. "I am hoping to support them and if I need to speak publicly, I will."
The rally for Jasper comes as another young child was fatally shot by a stray bullet on the same freeway over the weekend.
Eliyanah, 5, died Saturday evening while she was riding in the car with her parents on the way out to a family birthday dinner.
ALSO: 5-year-old fatally shot on I-880 in Fremont on way to family birthday dinner