Suspect charged in deadly carjackings also accused of Oakland In-N-Out shooting
OAKLAND - The suspect accused of carrying out two deadly carjackings in a gym parking lot, is also facing charges for a shooting at a bustling burger restaurant in Oakland that left an innocent bystander wounded, authorities said.
The defendant, 23-year-old Joshua Ballard, faces 88 years to life in prison if found guilty on all charges related to both cases, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price said on Tuesday.
Ballard was already charged with two counts of murder, carjacking, and second-degree robbery in the fatal shootings of two men: 46-year-old Sebahattin Ciftci on September 13 and 21-year-old Emre Boxkurt on September 24. In both instances, the victims were shot in the head during carjackings while sitting in their vehicles in the parking lot of a 24 Hour Fitness facility in San Leandro, according to the district attorney.
"This case of deadly violence traumatizes our whole community and will not be tolerated," said Price.
2 men found dead at San Leandro gym parking lot in separate instances
The San Leandro Police Department is investigating two separate morning homicides that happened in the parking lot of a gym.
Before the two separate homicide cases, Ballard allegedly opened fire in a crowded In-N-Out restaurant in Oakland. On the evening of September 3, Ballard got into a fight with two customers, during which he brandished a gun and fired two rounds within the restaurant, according to police.
One of the bullets struck an innocent bystander in the ankle.
Ballard fled, but the illegal ghost gun he used was found at the scene. He has been charged with three counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm related to the incident.
Authorities noted that at the time of his recent arrest last week, Ballard was found in possession of another ghost gun.