OAKLAND, Calif. — A night that began with music, art, and community at Oakland’s First Fridays festival ended in tragedy early Saturday when two people were killed in separate shootings, police said.
The popular monthly event, which draws thousands to the city’s Uptown district, wrapped up around 9 p.m. Friday. Hours later, gunfire erupted at two different locations, claiming two lives in incidents police say appear to be unrelated.
First Shooting Near Festival Grounds
The first shooting happened just after midnight near Telegraph Avenue, close to where festivalgoers had gathered earlier in the evening.
Officers responding to reports of gunfire found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died despite emergency efforts to save him. His name has not been released pending notification of relatives.
Second Shooting in East Oakland
Less than an hour later, a second shooting was reported in East Oakland near MacArthur Boulevard. Police said a male victim was also taken to the hospital but did not survive his injuries.
Investigators believe the two shootings were not connected, but both remain under active investigation.
Community in Shock
The First Fridays festival, launched in 2006, has long been celebrated as a showcase of Oakland’s creativity and diversity. Organizers emphasized that the violence occurred after the event ended and far from the main festival area.
“We are heartbroken,” an event spokesperson said in a statement. “This festival has always been about joy, art, and bringing people together. We stand with the families of the victims and the community in calling for peace.”
Police Seek Information
Oakland police have increased patrols in the affected areas and are urging witnesses or anyone with information to contact the homicide unit at (510) 238-3821 or Crime Stoppers at (510) 777-8572.
So far, no arrests have been made.