Oakland

Retired Cop Hurt in Deadly Shooting During Robbery at Oakland Gas Station: Police

Sources tell NBC Bay Area the former officer is longtime Oakland Police Department Capt. Ersie Joyner

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A former police officer is hospitalized following a deadly shooting during a robbery at an Oakland gas station, police said.

Chief Leronne Armstrong said the incident happened just after 1 p.m. at a gas station in the area of 17th and Castro streets. The deadly shooting marks the city's 115th homicide this year, Armstrong said.

"Today is really something that is impacting our entire city, our community," Armstrong said. "It's a tragic situation. But then, it's another senseless crime that happened in our community."

Sources tell NBC Bay Area that the former officer shot is retired OPD Capt. Ersie Joyner.

Video obtained by NBC Bay Area shows the deadly shooting unfold. The retired officer is seen pumping gas when he is approached by a group and a struggle ensues. Shots are then fired after the former cop is seen pulling out a gun.

Surveillance video obtained by NBC Bay Area shows the moments before a deadly shooting during a robbery at a Oakland gas station.

In a police briefing on Thursday, Armstrong said one of the victims was filling up his car with gas when he was approached by several people that began to rob him of his belongings.

Police said that multiple gunshots were fired and one of the men involved in the robbery was killed.

Joyner was transported to Highland Hospital in Oakland after undergoing emergency surgery. Joyner was shot six times.

The deceased person's identity is being withheld pending notification to the next-of-kin, according to police.

Joyner retired from the department in 2019 as one of the most decorated officers in the Oakland Police Department.

He came up through the ranks and was the head of the Oakland ceasefire program, a landmark program where police and community leaders meet with gang members to reduce gun violence.

NBC Bay Area’s Sergio Quintana spoke briefly off-camera with a woman who now works with Joyner at a local marijuana dispensary.

Joyner’s LinkedIn profile showed that he is co-owner of the Joyus Recreation and Wellness Group in Oakland.

A coworker told NBC Bay Area Thursday that Joyner was supposed to be at a meeting Thursday afternoon when she noticed he never showed up.

The coworker added that she was later shocked to learn he was involved in the shootout. She came to Highland Hospital to pray with Joyner and his wife as he continues to be hospitalized.

At this time, police are looking for at least two people who were involved in the incident. They added the suspects left the area in a black four-door sedan.

An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information can contact the Homicide Section at 510- 238-3821 or the TIP LINE at 510-238-7950.

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