Rhea Mahbubani

Suspect Caught on Camera Firing Multiple Shots at Homeless Man in Berkeley: Police

A suspect is at large after being caught on camera last week firing multiple shots at a homeless man, Berkeley police said.

Dispatch received a call of the shooting at 3:35 a.m. Thursday on the 2100 block of Kittredge Street. Responding officers contacted a 39-year-old homeless man, who was not struck by bullets, but they believe was the intended target.

The victim said he was standing in front of a housing complex at 2165 Kittredge Street when a man, hovering near the gas pumps at Berkeley Touchless Car Wash, fired six rounds.

"Apparently, there was some sort of argument between two men," said Andrew Frankel with the Berkeley Police Department. "The argument escalated and one of them pulled out a pistol and shot at the other one."

Bullet holes were found on the façade of the building, police said.

Based on surveillance footage, police said the suspect is thin, has dark skin and stands between 6’ and 6’3” tall. He was wearing a black t-shirt with an unknown design on its front, a chain around his neck, a dark-colored bucket hat, tan pants and white shoes.

"The suspect was distinctively dressed," Frankel said. "A rope chain around his neck — those are things a friend and family might recognize."

The suspect was last seen running south on Fulton Street and west on Bancroft Way. Police said they haven't been able to track down his identity or weapon.

Several people, who live in the building close to which the homeless man was standing, heard the gunfire.

"It was like a machine, it sounded so quick," Devron Atkins said.

Kevin Lunt recalled a "gentleman running around the corner."

"It should make everyone nervous," he said. "No one should pull a gun out and start shooting randomly."

Cameras also captured a man walking past the car wash just as the suspect began shooting. He is seen running across the street when gunfire erupted.

"There’s a pedestrian who is walking through the shot, passing the carwash at the time of the shooting," Frankel said. "If that person is one of your viewers and can call, we’d appreciate that."

Police, who would like to speak to this man, have asked anyone with information about the incident to call (510) 981-5741 or email police@cityofberkeley.info.

Contact Us