The City of Oakland has organized a vigil for this evening, 7 PM,at the corner of International Blvd and 64^th Avenue to show support for victims of yesterday’s shooting that claimed the life of an innocent 3 year old child.  The event is sponsored by Oakland Measure Y.  For more information, contact Jennifer Argueta at 510-238-2056 or jargueta@oaklandnet.com.   Both County Supervisor Keith Carson and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan have spoken to support this event--their statements follow.

A statement from Mayor  Quan

The death of an innocent child caught in crossfire in broad daylight today breaks my heart. Too many innocents are becoming statistics in our city. Gun battles in our neighborhoods ARE NOT and WILL NOT be the norm.

The City has focused its resources in neighborhoods of highest risk. We’ve added patrols. I’ve asked Governor Brown for help from the California Highway Patrol and garnered assistance from Congresswoman Lee and Senator Boxer for help with federal assistance here in Oakland.  We’ve called for federal help to stop the influx of illegal weapons into our city. Today, we’ve asked the U.S. Attorney to form a joint task force of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation  to work with the Oakland Police to address the increase in shootings in West and East Oakland. The chief has put the OPD on Tactical Alert and daywatch officers have been held over to address any leads that investigators may develop.

It will take all of us to stop crime in Oakland. We must stand together to bring an end to violence in our community. Young or old, every life matters. Tomorrow the Mayor's Office in conjunction with our Measure Y and faith-based partners from throughout the city will host a vigil at the corner of 64th & International at 7 pm.

If you have any information about today's shooting, please call the anonymous tip line at 510-238-3821, or email Oaklandhomicide@oaklandnet.com.

A Statement from Supervisor Carson:

While I am out of town right now, in spirit I join all of you and the many others who are consistently affected by the daily occurrences of violence in our neighborhoods.

 We do not live in a third world country, we live in Oakland.  A place known around the world for its beauty, a place that has a lot of history, a place that has led the country in social equity struggles, a place that has all of the elements to be great!

We can’t wait for the cavalry to ride into town and save us, we must band together across neighborhoods and unite families.  We must tell those in our neighborhood, those that come into our neighborhood that this must stop, this will stop.  Because person by person, neighborhood by neighborhood, church by church, organization by organization we will take back our streets, our neighborhoods, and our city!

We will begin from this day welcoming everyone, regardless of their past or current circumstance, no matter how young or old, no matter what race, education, or economic condition, whether you have a record, or have never broken the law to help us in this struggle.  We must also as a City and a County work daily as individuals and neighborhoods to use every resource available to get this current situation turned around!  Everyone in our community must be safe around-the-clock.

Keith Carson

Vice President, Alameda County Board of Supervisors