The East Bay “is the wild wild West right now — it’s full of guns, and the smallest inkling of a disagreement can result in a shooting,” said one violence interrupter.
A California Highway Patrol officer investigates the scene of a freeway shooting on Highway 24 eastbound near the entrance of the Caldecott Tunnel in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. More than once a week last year, bullets from rolling gunbattles, road rage-fueled shootings and seemingly unprovoked attacks flew on Alameda County freeways at a frequency far outpacing most of the state, according to an analysis of highway patrol data by this news organization.
The East Bay “is the wild wild West right now — it’s full of guns, and the smallest inkling of a disagreement can result in a shooting,” said Glen Upshaw Sr., a violence interrupter with the Oakland-based nonprofit Youth Alive! “Ninety percent of the stories we hear are, ‘I don’t even know why he shot me.’”
“These shootings are notoriously hard to investigate,” said Michelle Rippy, a professor of criminal justice at California State University, East Bay. She specifically pointed to the fact that there are often fewer witnesses to freeway shootings; by their very nature, such incidents mean suspects and victims leave the scene almost instantly.
Capt. Jason Cavett, commander of the highway patrol’s field support division, acknowledged that shooting rates in Alameda County remain an issue, but said any attempts to nail down specific reasons for that problem amount to “speculation.” Criminologists say freeways appear to be the venue of choice for some people seeking to carry out retaliatory shootings, given how hard it can be for a targeted person to defend themselves while traveling 65 mph or faster down a roadway.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alameda County DA Price to file charges against Alameda cops in 2021 Mario Gonzalez deathDistrict Attorney Pamela Price on Thursday evening announced she is filing charges against the three Alameda police officers involved in the 2021 in-custody death of Mario Gonzalez.
Read more »
West Side neighbors heightening security after three drive-by shootings in one weekThree drive-by shootings on the same street in a week have residents on the West Side fearing the worst.
Read more »
West Side Chicago community holds vigil after 2 mass shootings on Easter SundayWest Side Chicago community holds vigil after 2 mass shootings in 1 day
Read more »
UCLA Health Acquires West Hills Hospital, Renames it UCLA West Valley Medical CenterUCLA Health has completed the acquisition of a West Hills hospital, which has been renamed UCLA West Valley Medical Center. The acquisition aims to increase convenience for patients in the San Fernando Valley and provide specialized care and treatments.
Read more »
World War II-era ship docked in Alameda testing tool to combat global warmingTests on the USS Hornet will see if salt water particles can increase cloud reflectivity.
Read more »
Alameda DA Pamela Price supporters rally, push for recall on November ballotA group of Alameda County residents and community leaders held a rally Friday in Oakland to support District Attorney Pamela Price and urge the county's Board of Supervisors not to schedule a special election for her recall.
Read more »