Subject With a Gun
Published on January 19, 2021
ALAMEDA, CA – On Monday, January 18, 2021 the Alameda Police Department (APD) was alerted to a caravan protest involving more than 100 vehicles. As the caravan entered a residential neighborhood, we began receiving calls from the community. We hear and understand our community’s concerns about yesterday’s incident, specifically in relation to an individual confronting peaceful protesters. In the interest of clarifying any misinformation, we are addressing several questions that have been posed to us.
The initial call received at approximately 2:46 pm, was the report of a group of protesters in front of a residence in the Bay Port community. Uniformed officers were not initially dispatched to the scene to allow the peaceful protesters space to exercise their constitutional right. We were subsequently advised that law enforcement officers from the District Attorney’s Office were in the area.
At approximately 2:54 pm, the first initial report of an unknown individual holding a weapon in the 2300 block of Mosley Avenue was received. An additional caller, at 2:55 pm, identified the weapon as a possible gun. As soon as we heard reports of a possible firearm(s) at the event, we dispatched all available personnel to the area. At 2:56pm, officers were advised that the individual was seen near Ruby Bridges Elementary School, in the 300 block of Robert Louis Stevenson. By 2:59 pm a caller reported the suspect was no longer visible and another caller stated he was possibly holding a pipe.
The following is a sequence of events related to yesterday’s incident, including, APD personnel response, request for outside agency assistance, Alameda Fire Department staging, the use of undercover officers, additional caller updates, and the subsequent steps being taken by APD during the investigation process. During 2:45 – 3:15 pm, APD received a total of 21 calls regarding the incident.
2300 Mosley Ave Incident
Date of Incident – January 18, 2021
A total of 14 APD personnel responded to the scene (two lieutenants, two sergeants, two detectives, two motor officers, six patrol officers).
2:45 – 3:00 pm: APD dispatchers received the first call from an Alameda County DA Inspector about protesters in the 2300 block of Mosley Avenue. Additional calls included reports of vehicles illegally parked in the 200 block of Kingfisher. The patrol supervisor was notified of the call.
A caller reported seeing an unknown race male, black hoodie, black and white plaid pants in the 2300 block of Mosley Avenue possibly holding a weapon, possibly a shotgun but the caller stated, “can’t really see.” The individual was yelling he will open fire. Additional calls reported a similar individual with an object that appeared to look like a shotgun. Callers also reported vehicles honking and people protesting in the area.
Between 2:54 and 2:59 pm APD received calls specifically regarding a male suspect with a possible firearm. An update stated that the suspect was no longer visible and was last seen in the area of Robert Louis Stevenson, possibly holding a pipe. Based on the short time frame the suspect was observed holding a possible weapon, APD established an Emergency Response Team in the event the individual returned to the area. APD continued to monitor the situation based on direct communication with DA Inspectors and residents who were providing additional real-time information.
3:00 – 3:15pm: First officer arrives at the designated Command Post, followed by additional patrol officers, sergeants and a lieutenant. The DA Inspectors provided updates stating only a few vehicles and a small group of people were peacefully walking in the area, and no weapon had been seen.
APD received one call of five individuals seen walking in the area of the soccer field with “medium sized guns” wearing dark clothing and mask. The reporting party then lost sight of the individuals.
The Command Post continued to evaluate the situation based on the information coming in. Units were put into place to respond immediately in the event the incident escalated.
3:15 – 4:26 pm: Detectives were sent to the scene to roam and gather intelligence in an undercover capacity. Undercover officers reported no one was in the area with weapons and all the vehicles and pedestrians had left. Detectives continued to stay and monitor the situation. As a precaution, APD requested the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to respond and assist. At 4:26 pm the Command Post shutdown.
Fortunately, no one was injured during this incident. Investigators are actively working on this case and are in the process of obtaining video surveillance that can be used in our investigation to identify and locate the suspect(s). If you have any information regarding yesterday’s events – witnesses, home surveillance footage, etc. – or had direct contact with the armed suspect(s) please call, 510-337-8336.
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