In the early hours of Friday morning, an Oakland police officer was shot and murdered in the line of duty near Jack London Square. According to officials, the people responsible for the officer’s death are still at large.
“As we mourn, rest assured that we are also determined to bring this cop killer to justice,” stated Oakland Police Officers’ Association President Barry Donelan.
Officer Tuan Le, the slain undercover officer, was identified. “When Officer Le died, he was surrounded by his wife, mother, and members of his OPD family.” “He is a true hero who has dedicated his life to making our community safer,” the Oakland Police Department said in a statement.
Le was 36 years old at the time.
“This senseless act of violence against a member of our police force, the guardians of our City, will not go unpunished,” Mayor Sheng Thao remarked. Oakland will work hard with our law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal levels to find and prosecute those involved in the assault on our city and the heartbreaking murder of our officer.”
According to the police union, Le was part of a squad of Burglary Suppression Unit officers who reacted to a burglary in progress at a cannabis dispensary near Jack London Square at about 1 a.m. Friday.
In the words of acting police chief Darren Allison, the robbers fled, the team “cleared the scene,” and cops left the area.
At 4:30 a.m., a second burglary occurred at the same shop on the 400 block of the Embarcadero. Allison stated that Le returned to the scene with a second cop. Allison stated that Le was fatally shot while driving his unmarked OPD vehicle toward the second burglary event.
According to officials, the gunman was sprinting with many other persons who dashed out of the store. “They began shooting at plain-clothed officers,” the Oakland Police Department said.
According to authorities, many burglary suspects were observed fleeing the area and evading capture.
Allison added that police officers never returned the shot.
A white pickup truck with damaged glass and obvious bullet wounds was seen on video from the area. A number of gunshot casings were discovered at the scene. The seriously injured officer was airlifted to Highland Hospital.
“I am proud of the officers who responded this morning and carried their brother to the hospital on their shoulders,” Donelan added. Their actions exemplified what it means to be an Oakland cop.”
Le died as a result of his injuries at 8:44 a.m., surrounded by family members and OPD officers. Allison stated that the deceased officer was a four-year member of the force.
“The risks and responsibilities of this career are real. Allison stated, “One of our officers made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Le is the 54th officer killed in the course of duty for the Oakland Police Department.
On June 1, 1987, Le was born in Saigon, Vietnam. Le graduated from Oakland’s 183rd Police Academy on February 21, 2020, embarking on a career in public service. According to OPD, Le served as the Community Resource Officer in West Oakland for the past two years, where he devoted himself to improving the link between law enforcement and local citizens.
“His tireless efforts in fostering positive relationships had a lasting impact,” OPD wrote. His death has left a gap in the law enforcement community, the city of Oakland, and the hearts of those who knew him. He will be remembered for his friendliness, smile, and the great impact he had on people around him.”
“Today, we mourn the loss of the Oakland Police Department hero who died in the line of duty while working to keep Oakland safe,” the FBI’s San Francisco office posted on X. Our sympathies to the slain officer’s family, friends, and coworkers; his sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
Pamela Price, the District Attorney for Alameda County, has promised to pursue the officer’s killer once arrests have been made. Price went on to say, “The murder of this young officer is inexcusable.”
“Today, an Oakland Police Officer was killed in a deadly shooting,” Price continued. This is a terrible tragedy for our entire community, and it has been tremendously traumatic for our law enforcement partners. The violent violence seen in Oakland in recent years has no place in Alameda County. My office is prepared to pursue and hold accountable whoever is responsible.”
There have been no arrests. Anyone with information that could aid the OPD investigation is encouraged to contact the homicide unit at 510-238-3821 or the tip line at 510-238-7950. At 1 p.m., Interim Police Chief Allison and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan conducted a press conference. The entire press conference can be seen in the video player above.
Governor Gavin Newsom ordered flags at the State Capitol building to be flown at half-staff in honor of Le.
“Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the tragic loss of one of Oakland’s finest,” Newsom said. Jennifer and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Officer Le’s family, colleagues, and the whole Oakland community as we grieve the loss of a brave public servant on behalf of the entire state.”
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