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Oakland police are investigating a triple homicide shooting in West Oakland, just days into the New Year and less than 24 hours after city officials touted 2018's lowest murder numbers in nearly 20 years.

The shooting at 1000 Center St. happened around 9:05 p.m. Friday night near the Mandela Parkway. Three men were taken to the hospital, but died there.

Early Saturday, the men were not identified by name, but their ages and cities of residence were released: A 21-year-old from Vallejo and two others from Oakland, ages 29 and 31, according to police spokeswoman Felicia Aisthorpe.

There is no suspect information at this time, but a law enforcement source told KTVU there are possible gang ties to this shooting.

The crime scene spanned from 8th Street and Center to Mandela Parkway up to 11th Street and Mandela where a source told KTVU a vehicle crashed after gunshots were fired.

The vehicle has been abandoned. According to the source, witnesses said the driver fled the vehicle and was picked up by another.


On Thursday Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Oakland Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick held a news conference to say Oakland's 2018 homicide rate dropped to its lowest level — 68 — since 1999.

These are the city's second, third and fourth homicides of 2019.