Oakland’s 81st homicide this year occurred on Saturday night when a man was shot near Children’s Hospital. The victim, 29-year-old Lorenzo Ward, was shot fatally at about 9:15 near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way in the 800 block of 53rd Street. The location where the victim was shot is about 1 1/2 blocks from the Children’s Hospital’s main entrance.
Police had little information about the victim at the time of the shooting, but did believe that he had family in the area. One individual told police that Ward had a residence in Richmond. The victim was apparently by himself when an unidentified individual approached and shot him. As of Saturday evening, no arrests had been made; the motive for the shooting was not known.
On the same evening there were three other shootings in East Oakland, non of them fatal. News reports state that all of the victims in these shootings were able to get a ride to the hospital, or drove themselves.
One of the shootings occurred at the intersection of Birch Street and 96th Avenue at around 11 p.m. Another happened in the 8300 block of Bancroft Avenue at about 10:45 p.m.; police believe this shooting may have occurred during a robbery, and are pursuing two possible suspects. Another shooting took place in the 3400 block of Davis Street at approximately 9:50 p.m. Oakland police did not believe at the time that any of the four shootings were related.
Crime Stoppers of Oakland and police are offering a $5,000 reward in each of the three non-fatal shootings, and a $10,000 reward in the fatal shooting for information leading to any of the suspects’ arrests.
Oakland criminal defense attorneys know that the penalties those convicted on charges of murder or attempted murder face are severe. Without exceptional legal representation, those accused will likely pay the price in terms of their freedom, career and future.
If you have been arrested for any criminal offense no matter how minor or serious, consult with a skilled Oakland criminal defense lawyer who will work to have the charges against you dismissed or reduced.
