Police Union: OPD Layoffs Could Hurt Public Safety

Oakland Police say one person has died and five others were wounded in a hail of gunfire that broke out around midnight at a vigil for a young murder victim at Eighth and Adeline Streets in West Oakland.

On Monday afternoon, 17-year-old Damon Williams was gunned down at the transit center at the Eastmont Mall. Shortly after midnight Wednesday morning family and friends were at a vigil for Williams in the parking lot of an apartment complex when witness Keyshawn McWorter says two men appeared and started shooting.

The victim is 19-year-old Rachael Green.

McWorter tells KCBS this is all gang-related, though OPD hasn't yet confirmed that.

On Monday a news conference was held at this very location, as police officers and community members got together to protest potential cuts to the Oakland Police Department. As many as 200 officers are on the chopping block in order to help balance the city's budget. Many fear crime could soar if officers are let go.

"We should try to get more police officers here in Oakland," said police union president Dom Arotzarena. "We need to ensure public safety and make this a place for people to call home, and not be afraid to live or work here."

Oakland Police Officer Jeff Thomason said the shooting is not the first to have targeted a vigil.

"We've had a number of shootings around vigils, that's why we always do security around them, and when the people leave, we try to take them down," he said.

No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. An 18-year-old man, Ricardo DePalm, was arrested in connection with Williams' murder, and police are still seeking two other suspects in that shooting.