According to police, several people were shot at the Juneteenth celebration in Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Fifteen people were shot during a Juneteenth celebration in Oakland, California, police said Thursday.

The violence erupted Wednesday night during an event at Lake Merritt that was largely peaceful and attended by about 5,000 people until a sideshow involving “motorcycles and vehicles” took place on the north side of the lake at around 8:15 p.m.

Police said a fight broke out further down the street and a crowd gathered near the scene of the fight. At least one person was arrested for assault on an officer.

Another person was injured in an attack that occurred when she ran over the hood of one of the vehicles involved in the sideshow and the occupants got out and attacked her, Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell said at a news conference.

No suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting, Mitchell said.

Investigators found more than 50 cartridge cases at the crime scene.

At least one gunshot victim was in critical condition. The victims were between 20 and 30 years old.

Paul Chambers, strategic communications manager for the police department, had previously stated that several people had struck OPD officers as they tried to escort the crowd to safety.

According to KTVU-TV, there was a large police presence at the scene, with up to two dozen police vehicles and several ambulances. Police said 28 officers and four sergeants were on site to monitor the incident.

KTVU reported that there was some discussion among those attending the celebration and that some of the police officers criticized their actions and said they did not react quickly enough when there were injuries.

In 2021, a shooting during a Juneteenth celebration at Lake Merritt injured several people and killed a 22-year-old San Francisco man.

Police said the investigation into Wednesday evening’s shooting was still ongoing.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.