Stephen Ellison

'Disturbing Scene': Father Pushing Stroller Fatally Shot in Street Near Hayward: Sheriff's Office

A father pushing a stroller with a 3-month-old child in it was killed in a shooting in unincorporated Hayward Wednesday afternoon, an Alameda County sheriff's spokesman said.

At about 3 p.m., deputies received a report that shots had been fired in the 200 block of Willow Avenue, sheriff's Sgt. Ray Kelly said.

Deputies who responded to the shooting found a man on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, Kelly said. The child was unharmed.

Kelly described it as "a very disturbing scene."

Investigators were canvassing the area to gather information about the shooting, and residents were advised to avoid the area, he said.

"We are in the process of reuniting the child with the mother and are providing support to the family and community," Kelly said. "At this time, the neighborhood remains an active crime scene, and people are encouraged to avoid the area."

The victim’s sisters arrived in the neighborhood just hours after the shooting. While his name has not been released, sheriff’s deputies say he was 30 years old. A man who says he was a friend of the victim said he was happy spending time with his new child.

Sheriff’s deputies said they are not ruling out the possibility this is a gang-related shooting. 

They are still trying to determine if it was a drive by shooting.

"We believe there’s an associated vehicle, we believe there are suspects related to a vehicle," Kelly said. "Whether they got out on foot or shot from the vehicle, those are things we’re working out right now."

Kelly said there's no suspect information being released at this time. He described the area, which is near Cherryland Park, as a middle-class residential neighborhood that's not typically a high-crime area.

Kelly said anyone who has information about the shooting should call the sheriff's office at (510) 667-7721.

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