OAKLEY — Authorities have arrested two people and are searching for a third in connection with a shooting Wednesday night in Oakley, which police say appeared to be the result of a drug deal gone bad.
The shooting in the 1000 block of Quail Valley Run also marked the second major incident in the general vicinity that day.
Just before 10:15 p.m., officers were called to the area for a report of three males fighting inside a vehicle and the sound of gunshots, the Oakley Police Department said in a statement.
Officers found the vehicle at the intersection of Laurel and Teton roads. Police said it had been reported stolen on March 11 and was occupied by an 18-year-old Pittsburg man and a juvenile. The man, who was behind the wheel, had been shot in the upper chest.
The man was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment. He was later released and arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle. The juvenile, meanwhile, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a firearm and possession of a firearm.
Police are still working to identify the third person, who ran from the vehicle around the time of the shooting. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.
The gun used in the shooting was recovered, police said. The stolen vehicle was also seized as evidence.
“Our investigation has so far revealed this incident appears to be an illegal narcotics deal gone bad,” police said.
Roughly 17 hours earlier in the 1200 block of Quail Valley Run, police arrested an 18-year-old Oakley man in connection with shootings in Oakley and Antioch. His mother was also arrested on suspicion of serving as his getaway driver in one of them.
In a statement, Oakley police Chief Paul Beard acknowledged the unease some residents might be feeling after the back-to-back incidents. He said they did not appear to be related.
“I do not believe this incident still represents a threat to public safety due to the recovery of the gun and the arrests,” Beard said about the Wednesday night shooting.
“I do however acknowledge the good and hardworking residents of the Quail Valley Run area may be uneasy due to all of the recent activity,” he said. “I want all of those residents to know I have issued an expectation to my officers to bolster patrols in that area for the next few days.”
Anyone with information related to the case can contact the police department at 925-229-2079.
Check back for updates.
Source: www.mercurynews.com