Oakland man charged with murder in shooting death of woman in car
OAKLAND, Calif. - An Oakland man "frustrated" at drivers racing down his street has been arrested after firing at a car and killing a 21-year-old woman, prosecutors alleged in a video statement on Tuesday.
Bernard Jimmerson, a 39-year-old convicted felon has been charged with murder and other felonies after allegedly fatally shooting Maria Villa Bedford on Saturday.
Jimmerson told authorities he was upset that people were racing "up and down the street at night" and decided to fire with an assault rifle as cars drove past, according to District Attorney Pamela Price.
One of those shots hit Bedford, who died on MacArthur Boulevard near 95th Avenue around 2:30 a.m. after crashing her Mercedes, Oakland police said.
"Her murder is heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable," Price said in a video statement. "There are too many guns in this community and there are too many people who are too quick to use a gun…it needs to stop."
If convicted, Jimmerson faces decades to life in prison.
Jimmerson, a father of two young children, is charged with murder, shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person; possession of an assault rifle, and a gun enhancement. He is being held without bail.
Oakland police said they found two AR-15 rifles, two handguns, high-capacity rifle magazines, 194 loose rounds and body armor inside his unit. The guns were improperly stored and accessible to his 2-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, authorities said.
Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and facebook.com/henrykleefan