Two Department of Homeland Security agents were shot in Oakland, Calif. on Friday night amid violent protests. One the agents succumbed to their wounds and the other is hospitalized in critical condition.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation acknowledged the shooting in a statement, adding that the incident was under investigation. “FBI San Francisco and the Oakland Police Department are investigating a shooting that occurred at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building at 1301 Clay Street in Oakland, California,” the statement read, which was reported by Good Morning America.
“At approximately 9:45pm on Friday, May 29, 2020, a vehicle approached the building. An individual inside the vehicle began firing gunshots at contract security officers for the Federal Protective Service of the Department of Homeland Security. One officer was killed and another was injured,” the statement continued.
“The FBI has deployed investigators and the Evidence Response Team to the crime scene. We will continue to work this investigation alongside the Oakland Police Department,” the statement added.
The agents were contracted security officers with the DHS’ Federal Protective Service, the FBI said.
Some 7,500 protesters were estimated to be demonstrating in Oakland on Friday night, the Oakland Police Department told CNN.
The protesters set buildings and vehicles on fire, vandalizes businesses, assaulted police officers, and more, police said. Six Oakland police officers suffered injuries from the protesters, in addition to seven other law enforcement officials, according to ABC News.
Officials said 18 arrests were made by Oakland police, and four others arrested by other law enforcement agencies. Another 60 suspects were detained for questioning.
Interim Oakland Police Chief Susan Manheimer said the protests began peacefully, but erupted into violence later on.
“What we saw later on in the evening turned violent and disruptive, and we want to call on everyone who would come to Oakland and stand with us to respect the memory of George Floyd and the community,” she said. “We saw damage and destruction here in our city.”
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said on Saturday morning, “Last night the City of Oakland created a safe space for the justified rage, anger and grief at the state-sponsored killing of George Floyd. That rage crossed a line. We cannot tolerate vandalism or violence in our city.”
Oakland was one of numerous cities nationwide in which violent protests erupted in response to the killing of Minnesota man George Floyd in police custody on Monday. Derek Chauvin, the officer who was seen in video footage kneeling on Floyd’s neck, was arrested on Friday and charged with manslaughter and third-degree murder.
