7 injured in Downtown Oakland after car mounts sidewalk following First Friday brawl

OAKLAND, Calif. - Seven people – including one juvenile – were hurt in Downtown Oakland early Saturday morning when a car mounted the sidewalk following a brawl during First Friday celebrations.

Police respond to reports of fight

What we know:

Oakland Police Department officers were sent just after 1:30 a.m. to the area of Telegraph Avenue and 18th Street on reports of a fight involving several people, the department told KTVU. The OPD said police broke up "multiple physical altercations" in the area and were able to disperse the crowd.

The OPD emphasized that the altercations were unrelated to and took place outside of the "permitted event footprint" of the official Oakland First Fridays celebrations, which take place along Telegraph Avenue between 22nd and 27th streets from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo, who represents the Fruitvale neighborhood, said he was at the official event, and that it remained peaceful.

While responding to the scene of the fights, police were notified of a report that a car had driven onto the sidewalk and struck several pedestrians in the 500 block of 18th Street.

Dig deeper:

Social media video from the scene depicts a large crowd brawling in the street before cutting to what appears to be a red Hyundai sedan driving recklessly on the sidewalk and crashing between a gate and a light post. 

The video then shows a female suspect who was behind the wheel of the car exit and run down the street, followed by bystanders.

Some bystanders told KTVU that they were dismayed by the violence.

"It makes me really sad," said Blair, an Oakland resident. "It's really unfortunate that people not only, you know, destroy people's property, and cause a ruckus like that, but also to see how people interact with each other too."

Authorities found five adults and one juvenile victim injured at the scene, and they were all taken to a hospital where they were listed in stable condition. A seventh victim was privately taken to a hospital, and they were also said to be in stable condition.

The OPD did not specify if the brawl and the vehicle collisions were related.

Police said the vehicle was abandoned at the scene, but officers managed to arrest two suspects who attempted to flee on foot. Authorities also said they recovered a firearm during the arrests.

What they're saying:

Gallo said the city has a long history of struggling to keep positive events such as First Fridays in the spotlight when violence erupts.

But he added that continuing to prop up the city is important for the fabric of the community.

"We're trying to get Oakland back to where you can celebrate it, enjoy it."

Others struck a similarly optimistic tone.

"You just gotta keep love in your heart, that's the best thing to do," said Daz, an Oakland resident. "There's hate in the world there's gonna be fighting of course, but as long as you kind of keep love in your heart try to focus on what's important, that's all you can do."

What's next:

An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and anyone with information was asked to contact the OPD Felony Assault Unit at 510-238-3426.