Shooting on Russell in Berkeley sends 1 to hospital

Residents watch police search the 1600 block of Russell Street for the suspect in a shooting in Berkeley. Photo: David Yee — Residents watch police search the 1600 block of Russell Street for the suspect in a shooting. Photo: David Yee

Update, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. Police arrested Anthony Durant, 24, in the case, and identified the victim as 24-year-old Christian Sheppard. See the update.

Update, Oct. 7, 1:30 a.m. Russell and Julia streets are now open. Police are no longer asking residents to stay inside. According to police, “Some officers remain in the 1600 block of Russell Street as they continue to investigate the shooting. We will provide more details regarding this incident later in the morning.”

Update, Oct. 7, 12:50 a.m. According to police, the roadways will be opening shortly.

Update, 12 a.m. Police detained three people in the 1600 block of Julia Street.

Update, 11:25 p.m. Police reportedly recovered a firearm in the 1600 block of Julia Street at about 10:20 p.m. At about 11 p.m., police called in the Berkeley Fire Department to stage nearby.

Original story, Oct. 6, 9:42 p.m. Police are asking residents in South Berkeley, near the 1600 blocks of Russell and Julia streets, to stay in their homes because authorities are searching for a possibly armed suspect involved in a shooting earlier Tuesday night.

Berkeley Police Officer Jennifer Coats said police got multiple 911 calls just after 8:30 p.m. about the sound of gunfire. Coats said one male was taken by ambulance to the hospital. She did not know whether he was expected to survive.

According to a Nixle alert released by the Berkeley Police Department at 9:32 p.m., authorities are investigating a shooting in the 1600 block of Russell Street.

According to the alert: “We are currently searching for a possibly armed suspect with the assistance of a K9 officer. Please avoid the 1600 blocks of Russell and Julia Streets. Residents please remain inside and report any suspicious activity by dialing 911.”

Berkeleyside has asked police for additional information and will update this post as it is provided.

See the Nixle alert.

Police have responded to at least 10 other shootings in Berkeley this year.

There was an incident at Bancroft Way and Bonar Street in early February that involved no victims but did result in bullets piercing an occupied apartment building. The same night, police arrested a man on suspicion of attempted homicide after he reportedly shot at someone during a domestic dispute.

Berkeley Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats said previously that there was also a shooting Feb. 22 in the 1500 block of Harmon Street, but police believe that may have been an accidental self-inflicted injury. The male victim suffered a minor injury that was not life-threatening.

In March, there was a shooting in broad daylight, at 62nd and King streets, that sent one man — reportedly an innocent bystander — to the hospital.

In April, a shooting at Ashby and Shattuck sent two people to the hospital.

In late June, a man was shot during the course of a robbery, at Ashby Avenue and Newbury Street, but was expected to survive.

On July 5, someone shot at a group in the 1600 block of Russell Street. No victim came forward, however.

On Aug. 15, police investigated a shooting in the 2800 block of Mabel Street near the southwest corner of San Pablo Park. A victim was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Also in August, someone fired a gun into the air outside a party on Carleton Street, and later told police he had done it “because he was angry about getting ‘jumped,’” according to authorities.

On Sept. 21, police arrested a convicted felon after authorities say he kicked his way into a home in Berkeley, struck a woman in the chest and threatened to shoot a man inside, then fired a handgun into the air after leaving the apartment.

Listen to police activity via an online scanner application. Read more about shootings in Berkeley. Due to the nature of this story, this post was updated as additional information was received.

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Emilie Raguso