This story was updated Saturday morning to reflect that the security guard has died.
A security guard shot in an attempted armed robbery of a news crew in downtown Oakland on Wednesday died Saturday morning, police said. The crew was covering a “smash and grab” burglary from earlier in the week when the incident took place.
The guard’s death marks the city of Oakland’s 126th life lost to violence, police said.
A reward of up to $7,500 is being offered by CrimeStoppers of Oakland and Oakland police for information leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals involved, police spokeswoman Officer Kim Armstead said.
The attempted robbery and shooting occurred at 12:19 p.m. in the 300 block of 14th Street, Armstead said. The guard worked with journalist Stanley Roberts and was employed by Star Protection Agency California, Roberts said on social media shortly after the shooting.
Piedmont resident Bob Tuck, owner of Atlas Heating and Air Conditioning Company, and his son Hunter, found themselves at the shooting site by happenstance that day when they went to Prime 356 to drop off a check to support the company, which had been burglarized twice in the last month. “We experienced a break-in ourselves back in September and sympathized with what Prime 356 was going through,” said Tuck, whose company is located in West Oakland.
Tuck said they were waiting with the reporter and security guard for the shop’s owner outside the store when a car suddenly pulled up. The suspect stepped out of the car and ordered everyone to “get down” and immediately started shooting, he said, before taking off, leaving the news camera behind. The security guard was hit in the abdomen. While they waited for police, Tuck and the news reporter administered to the security guard — medical personnel from down the street also showed up until the police responded. Given the guard’s deteriorating condition, Tuck said the police took him to Highland Hospital immediately. Hunter Tuck was hit by ricocheting fragments from the shooting and he is recovering at home.
The death is being investigated by the Oakland Police Department’s homicide section, and investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the homicide section at (510) 238-3821 or call Crime Stoppers at (510) 777-8572. Callers can remain anonymous.
Police are also asking for help identifying the perpetrators of the burglary. Residents or business owners in the area with a security camera are asked to check their footage to see if the attempted robbery and shooting was captured on video. Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to please call Oakland police investigators at (510) 238-3426.