Gun violence becoming part of daily life in Oakland

Gun violence is almost a way of life in some parts of Oakland, and a recent spike in violence is making this even more of a startling reality.

Oakland police were investigating at least five shootings that happened in less than 24 hours Thursday night.

Four of the violent incidents happened in a 12-hour span, starting at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday night at 44^th Street and International Boulevard.

Three of the five took place in West Oakland, including the most recent shooting which occurred Thursday at around 8:30 p.m. in West Oakland on 14th and Campbell streets.

That victim called police and was later found by paramedics. Officers searched for the gunman Thursday night.

Youth Uprising is a center that serves as an oasis in a part of Oakland where crime is hard to avoid.

KTVU spoke to four young adults at the East Oakland center about the rash of gun violence that has swept the city -- crimes that surprised none of them.

"I've been on my way home on a bike or walking, where I have had a gun pulled on me. And you know, it's just a normal thing for being in Oakland," said 24-year-old Clifford Rosa.

Rosa said it's happened to him half a dozen times.

"I know people who have guns, and they're under 18," Jessica Boatner said. "And I'm just like, 'How is that possible?' because you shouldn't have guns, period. It's too easy. It's access, just like it is with drugs. It's too easy to get them."

Olis Simmons runs YouthUprising, and she blames the people who bring the guns into Oakland neighborhoods more than many of the young people who arm themselves.

She added that she has heard of elementary school students in Oakland who have guns.

Antonio Cardenas said if he wanted to, he could easily go out and buy a gun.

“Find someone that knows where to get the guns, and just give him the money," Cardenas said.

A guns could cost $200,but it depends on what kind of gun a person wants, he added.

Simmons said some of the young people with guns she's encountered claim that they arm themselves for protection.

They're like, 'I'm afraid,' like, 'I'm afraid to go to school. I'm afraid to walk in my neighborhood,'" she said.

Crime and violence on the streets may be scaring some young people away from the city.

"I made a promise to myself when I have a girlfriend and my girlfriend has a baby, and I have a baby, I'm going to leave Oakland," Cardenas said.

It is not the kind of thing that city leaders want to hear, but they and police said they are always looking for ways to make Oakland a safer city.