On Tuesday, Oakland police revealed that they had arrested two men in connection with the tragic death of a Laurel District resident who was hit by a stray bullet in her home in September. They also asked the public for help in finding other suspects.
Further information regarding the arrests that were first announced on Monday was revealed during a press conference hosted by Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and the Oakland Police Department.
Three persons opened fire on a passing car during the fatal shooting that took place on September 15 on 38th Avenue close to Masterson Street in Oakland’s Laurel District, according to Lt. Brad Baker, head of the OPD’s murder division.
Wing Yin Wong, a 42-year-old mother of two and longstanding resident of the region, was killed when a stray bullet entered a house across the street from the scene. After taking over the shooting investigation, the homicide detail produced several leads.
Authorities in Oakland on Tuesday confirmed the arrests of two men in connection with the tragic death of a Laurel District:
“The community came forward pretty quickly in this case. There were a lot of residents and business owners in the area who helped us out with obtaining surveillance video footage – which is a big lift in any of the cases we have, but specifically this one,” according to Baker.
On November 16, Oakland police carried out three search warrants in Antioch, Oakley, and Oakland in cooperation with U.S. Marshals. This led to the recovery of more evidence and two arrests.
Traymonn Gray, 32, an Oakley resident, was taken into custody and accused of shooting at an occupied car, murder, and attempted murder. Alonzo Dyer, 35, of Oakland, California, was accused of being both a prohibited person and a felon in possession of ammunition and a firearm.
Baker stated that at least two more people connected to the shooting are still being sought by the police, and he urged anyone with information that could lead to their whereabouts to come forward.
Mayor Thao expressed her sympathies to the family and thanked the police department for their hard work in making the arrests. She also mentioned that she had kept in constant contact with family members.
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“My heart continues to go out to the family and friends of Wing Yin Wong. There’s nothing like losing a mother, a daughter, a wife, a partner,” Thao remarked. “I can’t even imagine what they’re going through and what they’ve gone through.”
About the arrests, KPIX spoke with a local leader who resides in the neighborhood. “That’s my friend. My heart goes out for him,” said Chaz Walker, referring to the husband of the victim. “And justice is important for all of us. And as an African American, I know how important it is to see justice.”
Walker has been a longtime resident of the Laurel District, having moved there more than 20 years ago. “Two months ago, I was a broken man inside ’cause that’s my friend. But when I saw how people responded to our pain, it just prompted me to be proactive,” he remarked.
Walker is currently engaged in several initiatives, such as a parent mentorship program, to put an end to gun violence. He declares that he won’t give up on Oakland.
“I saw the support we got from our council members, from the Police Department to the Department of Violence Prevention showing up,” Walker said.
“I’m inspired. Before, I wouldn’t say anything. I would just watch the bad things happen and put my head down. But now I’m inspired to come with a positive word and let my heart speak to me,” Walker added.