By George Kelly
Contra Costa Times
OAKLAND — Oakland police shot and killed a man who pointed a gun at officers towing cars involved in sideshow activity Sunday evening — less than 24 hours after massive sideshows shut down numerous intersections in East Oakland and reportedly led to gunfire.
Authorities received word of the shooting near 90th and Bancroft avenues at 5:34 p.m., Officer James Moore said.
A man was pronounced dead at the scene, Moore said.
According to a news release from Oakland police spokeswoman Johnna Watson, a group of uniformed officers were towing vehicles related to sideshow activity when a man approached and pointed a gun in their direction.
Several officers fired their service weapons, hitting the person. Afterward, the officers performed lifesaving measures until an ambulance arrived.
No officers were injured, and the gun was determined to be a replica, Watson said.
The department’s homicide and internal affairs divisions will investigate the shooting, and only limited information will be released, Watson said.
As many as 700 cars were involved in sideshow activity — drivers performing stunts and peeling out in their cars — that shut down numerous intersections and a portion of Interstate 880 early Sunday morning. There were several reports of shots being fired.
Anyone with information should call Oakland police at 510-238-3821.
Tipsters may text TIP OAKLANDPD to 888777 from cell phones followed by tips, call 855-TIPS-247 (855-847-7247) toll-free, or use the web form at the bottom of the department’s Nixle messages or visit http://nixle.us/tip/oakland-police-department-ca / to complete and send, with a tipping passcode to allow a two-way anonymous channel to help gather more information.
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