U.S. postal worker injured in shooting in Oakland

OAKLAND (BCN) - A female U.S. Postal Service mail carrier remains in stable condition at a local hospital after she was shot while she was in a postal vehicle in East Oakland early this afternoon, according to a U.S. Postal Inspection Service spokesman.

The shooting occurred near the corner of Bancroft and Avenal Avenues shortly after noon today, Postal Inspection Service spokesman Jeff Fitch said.

It appears that the shooting was unrelated to the woman's job, Fitch said. The worker's vehicle was hit by four bullets one of which was said to have hit her.

However, Fitch declined to disclose additional details about the shooting and said he doesn't want to speculate on a motive for it.

Fitch described the shooting as "a serious crime" and said the Postal Inspection Service is assisting the Oakland Police Department in investigating it.

He said the Postal Inspection Service is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for the shooting. The postal worker had just started on the job in April. 

If suspects are arrested they will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Fitch said.

Oakland police have not responded to requests for information about the shooting.