Update, March 31: Councilwoman Linda Maio’s office has organized a meeting Saturday, April 2, at the Berkeley Adult School to discuss the violence: “The third shooting in just a few years at San Pablo and Delaware is a third too many. It is time for more concerted action.” See the meeting flier.
Original story, March 24: The Berkeley man who surrendered to police last week after a shooting outside Bing’s liquor store has been charged with assault with a gun and is set to enter a plea Friday.
Ali Griffin, 40, is being held with a bail of $480,000 at Santa Rita Jail.
According to court papers, he was at Bing’s last week Tuesday, March 15, when he got into an argument with two other men.
“Griffin punched one of the men and brandished a firearm,” police wrote, then began to leave the area. One of the men followed him “from a distance” on Delaware Street.
Police said Griffin then fired one round at the man and hit him in the back.
Griffin fled to his home on 10th Street, authorities said. Police recovered a casing at the scene.
According to court papers, a witness identified Griffin as the man with the gun, and video shows the altercation that preceded the shooting. Police recovered a handgun and ammunition at Griffin’s home during the service of a search warrant.
Last Wednesday, Griffin turned himself in at the Berkeley Police Department “and gave a statement admitting that he shot the victim,” police wrote.
He was charged Thursday by the Alameda County district attorney’s office with two felonies: assault with a semiautomatic firearm causing great bodily injury, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Griffin has had a series of felony convictions dating back to 1993, including first-degree home robbery and assault with intent to commit a felony in San Mateo County, for which he was sent to prison; failure to register as a sex offender or update his registration in Alameda County in 2006 and 2011; and receiving stolen property in San Mateo County in 1996.
Griffin, a copy consultant, is listed in the state Megan’s Law database as having been convicted of “assault with intent to commit a specific sex offense.” No further information is provided.
According to court papers, Griffin could be facing his third strike, which could extend his sentence if he is convicted in the new case.
Police said no information was available this week regarding the condition of the man shot outside Bing’s last week, or about the two victims shot in an unrelated incident less than 14 hours later.
Police ask anyone with information about the case to call the Berkeley Police Department at 510-981-5900.
Related:
Man, 40, turns himself in after Berkeley shooting (03.16.16)
Man and woman in critical condition after shooting (03.16.16)
Berkeley police respond to shooting on Delaware (03.15.16)
Breaking: Gunfire in South Berkeley, fire on University (03.06.16)
Berkeleyside blotter: Crime in Berkeley, Feb. 11-17 (03.01.16)
3 Berkeley teens injured, 2 seriously, in shooting (02.16.16)
Gun violence makes for busy weekend for Berkeley police (01.11.16)
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