The Alameda County District Attorney is weighing whether to prosecute a 16-year-old charged with killing a 15-year-old over a backpack as a juvenile or an adult.
Oakland police reports that the is charged with murder and robbery in the shooting death of Derbing Alvarado.
The shooting occurred on March 17 at about 4:15 p.m. on the 1400 block of 100th Avenue in East Oakland. Oakland police stated officers who arrived at the scene of the shooting discovered a shooting victim whose family later confirmed on a GoFundMe web page as Alvarado.
Police took the suspect into custody a few days later. Police are not releasing the name of the suspect due to their age.
Dr. Joe Griffin, director of the non-profit Youth Alive, described the news as shocking.
“Whenever we lose someone, particularly the life of a youth here in Oakland, it’s hard to bounce back from that,” said Griffin.
The community came out Friday on 100th Avenue just north of International Boulevard to mourn Alvarado. A memorial keeps expanding there.
He was awaiting friends to accompany him to soccer practice when police reported the suspect attempted to rob him of his backpack before discharging several rounds, fatally striking Alvarado. Police don’t think the victim and suspect were acquaintances.
Griffin has been involved in violence prevention for 15 years. The victim’s age and the age of the suspect make this incident particularly difficult, he said.
“That’s painful in a very particular way, because we’re dealing with hurt people, hurt people and we’re dealing with hurt young people hurting other young people,” Griffin explained.
Youth Alive seeks to end the cycle of violence in Oakland and assist the community in healing from trauma.
“Where do we engage with young people to ensure that this isn’t the decision they feel like they need to make or have to make?” Griffin inquired. “And how do we actually hug a community that’s now lost a young person and these young people who are in their friend circles and networks are going to carry this trauma for the rest of their lives?”
Oakland Police Lieutenant Gloria Beltran said the community was key to making a quick arrest.
“The community provided us information of what they heard from the other persons who were there and then who they believe might have been involved,” said Beltran. “I can’t go into details of exactly what they said but the information that the community provided was valuable.”
Beltran reports the suspect was arrested Thursday by officers and a weapon was discovered at his residence.
Friday, charges were filed against the 16-year-old, according to the District Attorney’s office. Police would not verify if he is to be charged as a juvenile or an adult.
“That is not our call. That will be up to the DA’s office, and we don’t know at this point how he’s going to be charged,” Beltran explained.
Griffin encourages young people in Oakland not to become involved in any form of violence, and assures them that there are means by which they can make better choices.
“I would tell them particularly to youth in Oakland, we let them know that we’re here for you and that you are not alone,” Griffin said. “Although it might seem in the moment that this is a decision that you must make, it’s not one that you must make.”
Police in Oakland said there are no other suspects for this incident.