OAKLAND, Calif -- Two Bay Area families have been brought together in grief as they remember loved ones who were shot and killed in separate incidents a mere seven months apart by the same Oakland police officer.

The first deadly shooting occurred last New Year's Eve. 20-year-old Andrew Moppin was shot numerous times during a traffic stop. Police later determined he did not have a weapon.

Moppin was a student at Laney College. His family says he planned to become a graphic artist.

"He was born here. He loved the city," said his mother, Sonya Wahnee. "For him to die here on a dark street. By someone you're supposed to trust to protect our communities."

Last Friday, 27-year-old Jody Woodfox was also shot during a traffic stop.

The officer involved in both shootings has been identified as Hector Jimenez, who has been on the force less than two years.

At a Monday news conference, police defended Jimenez. "Someone running away from you does not preclude you from shooting them," said Lieutenant Ersie Joyner. "Each situation has to be looked at independently."

Woodfox was shot in the back.

His family said on Sunday that it is considering filing a lawsuit against the police department.

Attorney John Burris is representing the both families. He plans on asking the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Alameda County District Attorney to investigate the shootings.

"When you do it twice in six months that raises real questions about your ability to assess situations accurately," Burris said.