Oakland

Authorities identify suspect accused of killing Oakland police officer

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The suspect accused of fatally shooting an Oakland police officer last Friday was identified by authorities on Wednesday night.

Oakland police said during a news conference Wednesday night that 27-year-old Mark Sanders of Tracy was arrested in Livermore Tuesday morning.

Officer Tuan Le was shot and killed while responding to a burglary at a cannabis site in Jack London Square Friday morning.

Multiple people have been arrested in connection with the case.

Police sources said Sanders was arrested on a homicide charge as a juvenile but never convicted.

Now, Oakland City Council member Noel Gallo is once again calling on mayor Sheng Thao to declare a state of emergency in the city.

"At the end of the day, it is our communities that are paying the price by the robberies, shootings, and killings. We need to get it done. Get our public safety back in order and let’s quit making excuses about it," he said.

Gallo requested the action in a meeting with the mayor on Wednesday. If the mayor does not act, Gallo says he plans to bring his proposal to city council.

Under a state of emergency, Gallo explains the city would not only receive help from federal and state partners with increased resources- but it would also allow the mayor the appoint a police chief.

NBC Bay Area reached out to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and the mayor’s office for comment but did not hear back. Sanders is expected to make his first appearance in court on Thursday.

The suspect accused of fatally shooting an Oakland police officer last Friday has been identified by police sources. Velena Jones reports.
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