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Botched Robbery Likely Led To Killing Of Oakland Dads

OAKLAND (CBS/AP) - CBS 5 learned Tuesday that the two men shot and killed at an Oakland lounge over the weekend were fathers that may have been victims of a robbery gone wrong.

Police had said the unidentified gunman opened fire with an assault rifle after he and his friends were denied entry into Sweet Jimmie's early Monday.

But lounge manager David Ward said it began when the assailants tried to rob someone outside. The robbery victims and others then ran inside the club for safety.

The gunman began shooting indiscriminately into the establishment, killing the two men and wounding four others.

KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:

Authorities did not identify the fatalities, but friends and family identified them as 27-year-old Bill Jenkins and 22-year-old Adam Williams.

Williams was father to a 2-year-old girl, and mentored children at Oakland's Peralta Elementary, where his mother also worked. On its website, the school issued a statement:

"Peralta children looked forward to playing with Adam every day…He patiently threw football passes, taught them basketball skills, and helped them with homework."

Jenkins had a daughter with his high school sweetheart.

"Billy was just an easygoing, nice, upbeat guy, you know. I never even seen him mad," said in-law Freddie Parks. "It's hard for me to believe right now that we're talking about his death."

Oakland police said they are now investigating the botched robbery scenario. They are searching for four suspects who drove off in a white Dodge Avenger.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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