Man arrested and charged with Lake Merritt murder

Image from Oakland Police Department

(KRON) – Oakland police arrested a man suspected of killing another man near Lake Merritt on Sunday, the OPD said in a news release Wednesday. Justin Jenkins, 43, was also charged with murder by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.

According to OPD, 61-year-old Michael Seymour was behind the wheel of his minivan just before noon when he was shot at the intersection of 12th Street and Lake Merritt Boulevard. The address of the shooting is next to the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse.

Seymour drove a short distance to the 1200 block of First Avenue and was involved in an accident. He died at the scene of the accident.

An OPD investigation identified Jenkins as a suspect. He was arrested Monday in the 1200 block of Broadway while armed with a firearm.

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price described the killing as an “unprovoked act of deadly violence.” She also said Jenkins has “a long history” of gun violence.

“Gun violence, especially senseless violence against drivers, is completely unacceptable in our country
community,” Price said. “Our prosecutors have reviewed the evidence in this case and
have filed the appropriate charges in our pursuit of justice for Mr. Seymour and his family. I recommend
the Oakland Police Officers for their quick and thorough investigation and immediate arrest
suspected shooter.”

Jenkins was charged with murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle and being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, he faces a life sentence of 36 years and eight months in prison.