19-year-old man arrested in a Calif. mother's shooting death
OAKLAND, Calif. - A 19-year-old man was charged with the murder of a West Oakland mother who tried to rush her children to safety when a gun battle erupted in front of her house, reports CBS San Francisco.
Anthony Sims was charged with murder and various firearm counts in the death of Chyemil Pierce, 30. Police say that Pierce was shot around 4:45 p.m. Monday.
The station reports that the gunfight erupted after a group of male suspects became involved in a fight between female subjects on the street. Sims was one of several people who opened fire - leaving the street strewn with casings from different multiple guns, said Lt. Roland Holmgren. Police wouldn't comment on whether the suspect fired the fatal shot
Sims was also injured in the gunfight - along with another person - and was arrested at a hospital after being treated for the gunshot wound, according to Holmgren. He was booked and is scheduled to appear for a plea hearing Friday morning.
Police are actively searching for other participants in the gunfight and when caught they could reportedly face similar charges as Sims.
At least one of the guns used in the shooting was recovered, according to the station.
An Oakland Police Department spokeswoman told CBS San Francisco that many people in the neighborhood came forward that day to provide information about the shooting, helping police make a quick arrest.
Some residents have reportedly criticized the police, saying that Pierce's death could have been prevented if they had responded to calls when the initial argument started spiraling out of control - 13 minutes before the shooting.