OAKLAND, Calif. — A California state parole agent was shot and killed inside a state corrections office in East Oakland, prompting a large-scale manhunt that ended with the arrest of a suspect.
The shooting occurred at approximately 12:48 p.m. at a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) building on July 17, CBS News reported. The victim, later identified as parole agent Joshua Lemont Byrd, 40, was rushed to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Byrd was shot inside the Division of Adult Parole Operations office (DAPO), according to CDCR officials. The suspect was identified as 48-year-old Bryan Keith Hall, ABC7News.com reported. While the circumstances leading up to the shooting have not been released, authorities confirmed Hall had been released from jail approximately a week and a half prior.
Byrd’s death marks the first line-of-duty death for CDCR since 2018. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in Byrd’s honor. A procession took place Thursday evening as Byrd’s flag-draped casket was escorted from the hospital to the coroner’s van, followed by a caravan of nearly 100 unmarked CDCR vehicles.
“Our hearts are heavy as we remember parole agent Joshua Byrd, whose bravery and dedication led to his tragic death in the line of duty,” CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to the law enforcement community, as well as to Agent Byrd’s family and friends.”
Byrd began his career with the department as a cadet in June 2014. He later served as a correctional officer and sergeant before being assigned to the Oakland DAPO office in October 2024. He is survived by his wife and three children.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Byrd’s family. The investigation remains ongoing.
