Oakland police release video, sketches in plea for info on 2016 double-homicide

Oakland police investigators are releasing three sketches of persons of interest in connection with the August 14, 2016 deadly shooting of Terrence McCrary, Jr. and Craig Fletcher-Cooks. Oakland police investigators are releasing three sketches of persons of interest in connection with the August 14, 2016 deadly shooting of Terrence McCrary, Jr. and Craig Fletcher-Cooks. Photo: Courtesy Oakland Police Dept. Photo: Courtesy Oakland Police Dept. Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Oakland police release video, sketches in plea for info on 2016 double-homicide 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

Hundreds of people took cover or ran for their lives in Oakland’s downtown streets in the early hours of Aug. 14, 2016, when gunfire erupted at a birthday party and killed Terrence McCrary Jr., 22, and Craig Fletcher-Cooks, 20.

In the two years since, investigators have zeroed in on three of the partygoers, saying these individuals are key to cracking the case.

Newly released security footage shows two men walking down the street just after the shooting. The victims’ families and police hope that publicly sharing this video, as well as three sketch artist renderings, will at last lead to arresting the killers.

“I really want people to come forward,” Andrea Glasper, Fletcher-Cooks’ grandmother, pleaded at a news conference Thursday at Oakland police headquarters. “There was a lot of people at that party that night, and it’s been two years. And it’s hard. It’s very hard.”

McCrary, of Berkeley, and Fletcher-Cooks, of Oakland, were shot and killed around 1 a.m. during a block party held at the Prime Development venue on the 300 block of 15th Street.

Police said the confrontation began when four men in their 20s grabbed Fletcher-Cooks’ girlfriend to dance. A fight broke out after Fletcher-Cooks stepped in, police said in previous reports.

Fletcher-Cook was shot multiple times before the assailants ran outside the party into a crowd, still firing their weapons. Party attendees fled in all directions as the violence spilled into the streets, Sgt. Michael Cardoza said. Others ducked behind cars and into buildings, while some began firing their own weapons.

A stray bullet struck and killed McCrary, who authorities said was not involved with the initial argument.

A third victim, a 24-year-old man, was shot several times but recovered, police said.

Oakland police on Thursday conducted what’s now become an annual plea for information on the case.

Detective Sgt. Michael Cardoza said last year’s press blitz proved fruitful, helping police gather enough information for a composite sketch.

Cardoza identified the two men in the video as “strong persons of interest” in the case. The men fled the scene in the direction of Webster Street, police said.

The man on the left in the video is described as a black man believed to be in his mid-20s, and between 5-foot-9 and 5-10 with a muscular build.

“Based off the information gathered in the investigation, I can tell you that we believe this person played a vital role in what started this whole incident off,” Cardoza said.

The man on the right also is believed to have played an active role in the shooting of Fletcher-Cooks. Cardoza described this man as black and in his 20s and about 5-foot-6 to 5-7. Police did not have a screen grab of the man depicted in the third sketch.

Fletcher-Cooks’ foster parent, Mary Cazden, spoke fondly of a photo of her son while joining the young man’s grandmother in asking for the public’s help.

“This picture was taken two weeks before he died, at a graduation ceremony,” Cazden said through tears. “He had the whole world in front of him. And we’re really praying. … Any tips that you can bring would be very helpful.”

Roland Holmgren, a San Francisco police captain, said he hopes sympathy for the family will result in tips, regardless of how an individual views police.

“Hopefully, we’re going to be able to reach somebody who is sitting at home and maybe can make that connection,” he said.

Police asked anyone with information to call the Oakland police tip line at 510-238-7950. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy