A Toyota of Berkeley employee was killed Thursday, as was the man police believe killed her, according to authorities.
At 11:14 a.m., Berkeley police responded to a report of a shooting at Toyota of Berkeley, which, despite its name, is located just inside the city of Albany, said Berkeley police spokesperson Officer Jessica Perry. Albany police had requested mutual aid from Berkeley.
“Officers entered the building, located a victim, encountered a suspect and an exchange of gunfire occurred,” Perry said.
Several Berkeley officers were “involved” in the exchange, Perry said.
In an update later in the day Thursday, Alameda County Sheriff’s Lt. Tya Modeste confirmed that the employee, a woman, had died at the scene, as had the suspect.
“What I can’t confirm right now is the details of how it all unfolded,” Modeste said. Investigators were still at the scene as of shortly after 3:30 p.m.
Modeste did say that “numerous witnesses” reported seeing the man shoot the employee.
“Berkeley’s first responders leapt into action and into harm’s way this morning, and their rapid response may have prevented further casualties,” Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin said in a statement.
Police shut down the Eastshore Highway between Buchanan Street in Albany and Harrison Street in Berkeley and asked people to avoid the area as the investigation unfolded.
The Albany, Berkeley and UC police departments, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol and Albany and Berkeley fire departments responded.
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office will investigate the exchange of gunfire by police, Perry said. The Berkeley Police Department will also conduct an administrative investigation.
As a matter of policy Berkeley officers involved in uses of force that result “in death or serious injury to another” are put on temporary administrative assignments pending a review by a board made up of officers, union representatives, department instructors and supervisors, according to the department’s policy manual.
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.
