An 8-year-old boy was injured in a shooting on Interstate 580 in Oakland Friday, the California Highway Patrol said.
The shooting was reported at 6:23 p.m. near Grand Avenue, CHP spokesman Andrew Barclay said. The CHP added that people in two vehicles were reported shooting at each other at the time of the incident.
The 8-year-old was in an unrelated vehicle that was struck by gunfire, Barclay said. The child was taken to a local hospital in grave condition.
Police closed the eastbound lands of the freeway to investigate, but all were re-opened by 11:35 a.m. Friday, according to CHP.
The incident caused confusion among diverted drivers. Gerald Smith, who works nearby the incident told NBC Bay Area Friday what he heard.
“It was a lot of shots. A lot of shots going on. We don’t know where they came from,” he said.
Driver Dawn Skelton reacted to the shooting during an interview with NBC Bay Area Friday.
“Not again,” she said. “This is the freeway I take every day. It could happen, anybody can get hurt. So, another baby is hurt. Another family is gotta go through this. Somebody that didn’t have nothing to do with nothing.”
Skelton added she had to get onto Harrison and got stuck in traffic for two hours.
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The I-580 traffic that flows right by Smith’s place of work and he has a message for the people who opened fire.
“It’s 2023. Stop taking out unnecessary. Stop being unnecessary with your life. Stop wasting it,” he said.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao released the following statement Friday night:
"This is a horrific tragedy. As a mother, my heart breaks for the young victim and the victim’s family. Senseless gun violence has impacted far too many lives, and when an innocent child is harmed, it is unfathomable. I am staying abreast of the situation and join all Oaklanders in pulling for the young victim’s full recovery. I will continue to prioritize community safety so that all children can grow and thrive. Our OPD officers will be working with CHP to do everything we can to apprehend those who are responsible for this senseless act and hold them accountable."
The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted about the shooting Saturday afternoon and called it "horrific and unacceptable...Our thoughts are with this innocent child and his loved ones."
The CHP’s preliminary information revealed that the two vehicles continued eastbound and one or both of the vehicles may have exited Park Street.
No additional information was immediately available.
Anyone with any information is asked call the CHP’s tip line at 707-917-4491.
Bay City News and NBC Bay Area's Gia Vang contributed to the report.
