Dashboard Camera Records Daytime Shootout On Oakland Streets
OAKLAND (KPIX 5) -- A video obtained by KPIX 5 shows a driver being caught in the crossfire of a daytime shootout in East Oakland Wednesday morning.
The driver, who did not want his name released for fear of retaliation, had his dashboard camera rolling when gunfire broke out at the intersection of 23rd Avenue and East 23rd Street. In the video, a man in a blue hooded sweatshirt fired at a passing red car at least 15 times.
At least six people were near the intersection, but it did not deter the gunman from shooting. About 15 feet away from the gunman, a teenage witness did not run away, hide or duck from the gunfire, as if it's just another day in Oakland.
Through a translator, the driver told KPIX 5 that the shooting reflects the lawlessness in parts of the city. "I was scared to death. I feel unsafe to live in Oakland," he said.
The driver was not injured in the shooting, but a bullet struck the hood of his vehicle.
"It's really disturbing and alarming that this continues on a daily basis," said Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo, who lives near the shooting scene.
He believes the bad guys are becoming more reckless because Oakland officials are not letting police become aggressive.
Last month, KPIX 5 reported on a shootout on High Street. A man in a white shirt was seen in a shootout with another group of people. Caught in the crossfire was a 7-year-old boy.
Police identified the gunman in a white shirt, but did not arrest him. The District Attorney said it was technically self defense, because he was returning fire. Gallo said it is that kind of inaction that emboldens criminals.
"We need to take these guns off their hands. And the only way you're going to do it, you've got to stop, question and search people and remove their guns," he said.
The driver said he showed the video to his neighbor, who said the gunman and his friend spotted in the video, recently robbed him at gunpoint. Police have also seen the video, but the driver said the officer did not take a copy.
No arrests have been made in the shooting.
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