Oakland Police Shooting: Police Officers Shot, Killed

Law enforcement sources are saying four Oakland police officers were shot to death in two separate incidents involving one suspect near the Eastmont police substation this afternoon.

The 7400 block of McArthur Boulevard in Oakland, California was the scene of the first altercation where two motorcycle officers were shot and critically wounded today around 1:15 pm. What lead to the shooting is unknown at this time.

Acting on an anonymous tip, officers found the suspect barricaded in a building at approximately 3:30 pm. SWAT was called in, and two more officers were gunned down. The gunman was shot and killed at this time.

Two officers and the suspect were shot after a manhunt ended in gunfire following the shooting of two other officers during a traffic stop earlier in the day, Oakland police spokesman Jeff Thomason said.

Thomason would only confirm the death of the gunman and declined to discuss the conditions of the officers. However, the Alameda County coroner was called to Highland Hospital in Oakland in response to the shootings and law enforcement sources confirmed to CBS 5 that all four officers taken to the hospital had died of their injuries.

Grim reports trickled in all afternoon.

A man who did not want his name to be used and works at a barber shop on the corner of McArthur Boulevard and 73rd Avenue, said he heard gunshots from outside and went down the block where he saw two officers laying on the ground near each other.

“I went over to one officer and saw he was bleeding from his helmet pretty bad,” he said. “The other officer was laying motionless.”

He said the officer lying near a car had two gun shot bullets near in his face. One bullet was lodged in his jaw and the other in his neck.

The man proceeded to give the officer CPR until police arrived on the scene, he said.

The police officers who died were Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40; Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43; and Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35. Officer John Hege, 41, was in grave condition at Highland Hospital late Saturday.

The suspect who was killed in the gunfire was identified as 27-year-old Lovelle Mixon. He was wanted on a no-bail warrant for violating parole on a conviction of assault with a deadly weapon.

Compounding this tragedy were a group of people taunting the police at the scene of the first shooting … they were saying the incidents were “payback for Oscar.” As in Oscar Grant, the young man shot and killed a couple of months ago while allegedly unarmed. Violent protests erupted on the streets of Oakland shortly after Grant’s death.

This is beyond heartbreaking for so many, and I am among them. I had the good fortune to be raised around people that respected, upheld and admired the law. They (the Police) are heroes, putting their lives on the line every day … to protect and to serve you, and me. Yes, there are some bad apples in the bunch, but they are few and far between. They police themselves rather well. I wanted to be a *policeman* when I as a little girl, but that was when girls were told you can’t, because you’re not a boy. Didn’t stop me from wanting it though. They were my idols … policemen and servicemen. No, it wasn’t the uniform … it was the people that wore the uniform that I wanted to emulate. People that wanted to make a difference, people that believed you can’t go wrong doing the right thing.

There’s so much antagonism towards our police and I don’t understand it. They are following the law, and if you don’t like a particular law, then do something to change it…don’t take it out on someone trying to protect you and others. Policemen/women are human too, they have the same everyday problems, ups & downs that you or I do. They have the courage to face down the *bad guy’s* on every shift. How many of us go to work every day wondering if we will come home? How many of you make twice as much money as your average officer … for barely doing your job? Those of you that “hate” cops … ask yourselves, what would we do without them?

Right Pundits offers it’s sincerest sympathy and prayers to the families, friends and co-workers of these four heroes. May they rest in peace, knowing they did make a difference. That’s a wonderful legacy.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued this statement:

“This is a tragic day for law enforcement officers everywhere. All four officers dedicated their lives to public safety and selflessly worked to protect the people of Oakland. Maria and I join the Bay Area in remembering their service and honoring their sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost, the Oakland Police Department and law enforcement officers throughout California during this difficult time.”


Source: rightpundits.com