OAKLAND, Calif. — A 23-year-old Oakland man has been charged in connection with a mass shooting that broke out at a Juneteenth celebration in the San Francisco Bay Area last month.
Prosecutors charged JaJuan Kelly, 23, with four counts of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm for the shooting of four people at the Oakland event, the Alameda County district attorney’s office said in a statement Wednesday.
Authorities are looking for multiple suspects, and District Attorney Pamela Price said she was “deeply relieved to announce that one of the individuals” has been charged.
Kelly was one of 14 people shot and wounded June 19 at an unsanctioned sideshow following a peaceful celebration attended by thousands. No one was killed, and those injured ranged from 20 to 30 years old. Police initially said 15 people had been shot, but later revised the figure.
Ernie Castillo, an attorney for Kelly, said Wednesday it could be a case of self-defense, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
June 19, or Juneteenth, marks the day in 1865 enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, found out they had been freed — after the end of the Civil War, and two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday in 2021 and has become more universally recognized beyond Black America.
On June 19th, 2021, a mass shooting occurred at a Juneteenth celebration in Oakland, California, leaving one person dead and several others injured. The tragic event shook the community and sparked outrage among residents who were gathered to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.
In the aftermath of the shooting, authorities launched an intensive investigation to identify and apprehend the suspect responsible for the senseless act of violence. After days of searching and gathering evidence, law enforcement officials announced on Tuesday that they had arrested a suspect in connection to the Oakland Juneteenth celebration mass shooting.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed to the public, was taken into custody following a series of leads and tips provided by witnesses and community members. The arrest was a significant breakthrough in the case, bringing a sense of relief to the affected families and the Oakland community at large.
While details about the suspect’s motives and background remain unclear, authorities have assured the public that they are working diligently to gather more information and bring justice to those affected by the shooting. The arrest serves as a reminder of the tireless efforts of law enforcement officials in ensuring the safety and security of all residents in Oakland.
In the wake of this tragic event, community leaders and activists have called for greater measures to prevent gun violence and address the root causes of such incidents. They have emphasized the importance of coming together as a community to support one another and work towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all.
As the investigation into the Oakland Juneteenth celebration mass shooting continues, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities. The arrest of the suspect is a step towards achieving justice for the victims and their families, but it also highlights the need for ongoing efforts to address the underlying issues that contribute to gun violence in our society.
