Oakland police shoot suspect after he drags officers with car, pins one

OAKLAND, Calif. - Two Oakland police officers have been released from the hospital after being dragged by a fleeing suspect's vehicle. One of the officers was pinned by the car after it crashed, and the driver was hospitalized after one of the officers opened fire.

Investigators have not commented on the driver's condition, but have said the suspect is expected to survive.

"Use of force is something we never want to take lightly or resort to, but our officers have the right to defend themselves," Interim Oakland Police Chief James Beere said at a press conference on Friday afternoon. 

The incident marked the second time in 11 days an OPD officer has used their sidearm. The previous shooting, on April 28, left a man dead.

Gun in ‘plain view’ 

What we know:

Oakland police said that officers stopped a driver at about 3:15 a.m. in the 1200 block of 9th Avenue. The department has not stated what prompted the stop.

During the stop, police said they saw a gun in "plain view." The weapon, investigators later discovered, was stolen. 

The suspect, a 21-year-old Sacramento resident who has not been identified, tried to flee the scene by driving away.

"Both officers were dragged, and eventually the vehicle crashed next to a parked car, pinning one of the officers," Beere said.

It was at that point the pinned officer opened fire on the driver, who was struck and wounded.

International Boulevard

Local perspective:

The incident occurred near International Boulevard, which is known for sex trafficking, in a neighborhood commonly called ‘the Blade.’ It's unclear as of Friday afternoon if the initial traffic stop was linked to a pimp or a john.

Charlene Wang, who represents the neighborhood on the Oakland City Council, said the incident demonstrates how dangerous police work can be.

"We're not going to let up on the enforcement on the Blade because of this incident, but it just goes to show how dangerous the activity is," Wang said.

A woman who frequents the area, and who asked not to be identified, said she supports the police trying to enforce the law in the neighborhood.

"I feel like these — most of these chaotic people, they're not afraid of the police officers. I feel like the police officers need to have more power to let these people know who's in control and who's not," she said.

Investigation

Timeline:

At the scene later Friday morning, a white car was spotted with its nose parked on the sidewalk and crime scene tape surrounding it. Piles of garbage were seen strewn about nearby. 

A tow truck came to remove the white car later in the morning, as police were seen scouring the area for evidence leaving yellow markers along several spots on the street and sidewalk. 

Per OPD policy, the officers involved will be placed on paid administrative leave and will be investigated by the Oakland Police Department, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and the Community Police Review Agency. 

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