The 2021 Berkeley gunfire map
Berkeley has had at least 37 confirmed gunfire calls in 2021. Last year at this time, there had been 32.
Homicide
Berkeleyside’s ongoing homicide coverage appears below. It is organized primarily by the name of the deceased. A yellow background indicates that the killing remains unsolved.
Top Stories
Family still grieves after Berkeley killing: ‘We’re nowhere near healed’
A court hearing this week was the latest reminder for Diante Craig’s family of a loss that continues to feel senseless.
Defendant in Berkeley road rage killing seeks release without bail
Hosea Askew does not dispute that he shot Diante Craig, 29, last year, but his account has shifted. Askew’s attorney says it was self-defense.
Berkeley homicide suspect who fled to Mexico in 2010 is back in jail
The Border Patrol arrested Kevin Alvarado in late July and sent him back to Alameda County to face murder charges.
Sereinat'e Henderson
4 feet 7 and feisty: Loved ones remember Sereinat’e Henderson
“We don’t lose people like that in our family,” Henderson’s cousin told Berkeleyside. “It was just like somebody had stabbed me in my heart.”
Berkeley hopes new Ceasefire program will curb violence
Citing an “alarming rise in shootings” this year, officials pledged Tuesday night to work to create a new Ceasefire program designed to “address gun violence” in Berkeley.
Fundraisers launched for funeral, family of Sereinat’e Henderson
Some of the money will help create a fund for Sereinat’e Henderson’s 10-month-old son, organizers said.
Police offer $50,000 reward to help solve Sereinat’e Henderson’s murder
The Berkeley Police Department announced a $50,000 reward Friday to help find the killer of Sereinat’e Henderson.
Alfred Charles Taylor Jr.
Murder charges filed after fatal Berkeley Hills shooting
The murder suspect had just been released from jail three days before the fatal shooting, according to court papers.
Police arrest Berkeley man after Berkeley Hills murder investigation
Police have announced the arrest of a 26-year-old Berkeley man in connection with a fatal shooting Saturday at a Berkeley Hills home.
Murder investigation underway at Berkeley Hills home
Police are investigating a fatal shooting at a Berkeley Hills home Saturday.
Seth Smith
After killing of Cal student, Berkeley man confessed, key witness says
An old friend of defendant Tony Walker said he confessed to a killing and had the same type of gun used in the Seth Smith homicide just two days before it.
Murder charges filed after Cal student’s killing
The Alameda County district attorney’s office filed felony charges Monday against 60-year-old Berkeley resident Tony Walker in the June killing of 19-year-old Cal student Seth Smith.
Police make arrest in fatal shooting of Cal student
Berkeley police detectives have arrested a local man in connection with the fatal shooting of a Cal student who was walking on Dwight Way in West Berkeley in June.
Remembering Seth Smith, 19, a Cal student who was killed in Berkeley on June 15
Friends called Seth “everyone’s brother.” He was revered by teachers as a student who took “AP everything.” A $50,000 reward has been offered to help solve the case. A new scholarship fund has also been created.
Diante Craig
Richmond husband and wife charged in Berkeley ‘road rage’ murder case
Last week’s fatal shooting in Berkeley began as a road rage incident on University Avenue, according to court papers released Friday shortly after charges were filed in the case in Alameda County Superior Court.
Man arrested on suspicion of murder after fatal Berkeley shooting
Authorities have arrested the man they believe fatally shot a stranger on Chestnut Street in Berkeley on Friday afternoon.
After shooting, neighbor tried to help wounded driver: ‘He was gone’
The man who was killed while driving in Berkeley on Friday had his younger sister in the car when he was attacked, according to community reports. There was no indication Saturday that the assailant knew the victim.
Man killed in Friday afternoon shooting
A person was killed in a shooting just north of University Avenue in Berkeley on Friday afternoon, authorities report.
Bernadette Youngbear
Oakland man charged with murder, other crimes in fatal Berkeley hit-and-run
Court papers identify the woman who was killed as Bernadette Youngbear. The 58-year-old, who was run down on the sidewalk, is BPD’s first homicide in more than two years. Authorities are trying to find her family.
Police: Driver who killed a homeless woman on the sidewalk is in custody
The man Berkeley police identified as the driver in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a homeless woman on the sidewalk earlier this month is now in custody, authorities report.
Police say ‘armed and dangerous’ man is wanted in fatal hit-and-run
“Alexander McGee knows that he is wanted and has been known to flee or fight police,” said BPD. Authorities asked anyone who sees him to call 911 immediately.
Investigation continues into deadly hit-and-run that killed homeless woman
The woman who was killed Monday when a driver fleeing from police ran over her had been lying on the sidewalk for many hours the day before, prompting welfare checks from police and attempts to help her from others.
Hit-and-run driver kills pedestrian on sidewalk during UC Berkeley police chase
The driver who fled was in a charcoal gray four-door sedan with a second occupant at the time of the crash, police said.
Emilie Inman
Family, friends say insanity plea means no justice in Emilie Inman murder case
A devastating murder case concluded Friday in Alameda County Superior Court with a judge finding Pablo Gomez Jr. not guilty by reason of insanity and confining the convicted killer to a state mental hospital for decades.
UC Berkeley student told friend after fatal stabbing: ‘It’s your time now’
A UC Berkeley student recounted being attacked and stabbed by a friend, right after the killing of another woman in January, during an emotional hearing in a murder case Monday.
Gomez charged with murder, attempted murder, home robbery after fatal stabbing
Pablo Gomez Jr., 22, was arraigned in Alameda County Superior Court on Tuesday on four felony counts involving three female victims.
Friends remember Emilie Inman: ‘No one loved as hard’
An artist and a singer, an adventurer and an educator, Emilie Inman was unapologetically herself, a young woman who helped others love themselves better, and was known for her deep belief in unconditional love.
Homicide suspect booked in Berkeley; court case begins Tuesday
Pablo Gomez Jr. is set to appear in court Tuesday, Jan. 17, for an arraignment hearing.
2019 homicide
Mapping Berkeley: The 2019 gunfire map
The Berkeley Police Department had tallied 28 confirmed incidents of gunfire in the city in 2019. UCPD had one shooting, at People’s Park, which was fatal.
‘We ain’t cool no more.’ At People’s Park vigil, witnesses describe moment Berkeley man was fatally shot
Police believe that Calvin Kelley was the third person killed in one day by the suspect, Stefon Jefferson.
Killing in People’s Park may be work of man who killed two others on Friday — including city of Berkeley worker
UC Berkeley police are investigating ties between a homicide in People’s Park, and two other homicides that happened within a short time frame on Friday.
Update: Man dies after shooting at People’s Park
It’s Berkeley’s first homicide since January 2017. The man’s name has not been released.
Alex Goodwin Jr.
Berkeley police can now pay up to $50,000 for tips in unsolved cases
Berkeley officials have increased the reward money police can pay for tips about unsolved murders for the first time since 1998.
‘Art Not Guns’ memorial skate jam comes to West Berkeley on Saturday
Police released new photos and videos in their efforts to solve the homicides of two Berkeley High grads in Oakland in 2016. Detectives also still need tips in two Berkeley cases.
Family creates backpack giveaway to honor slain Berkeley musician
The family of Alex Goodwin Jr., fatally shot one year ago outside his home, has created an organization to honor him, and aims to hold its first backpack giveaway this weekend.
Family demands justice for slain rapper
Relatives and friends of a slain young rap musician killed outside his home in August repeatedly asked police Sunday to help them get justice for Alex Goodwin Jr.
Patrick Demarco Scott Jr.
$30,000 reward still on offer after Berkeley man’s unsolved killing
Patrick Demarco Scott Jr. was waiting for the bus near his Berkeley home when someone shot him repeatedly, killing him. He was on his way to see his grandmother.
Rally, fundraiser set for Saturday for South Berkeley man killed in Oakland
A 27-year-old man fatally shot earlier this year just over the Berkeley border in Oakland will be remembered Saturday at a rally and fundraiser.
A mother’s plea: Homicide victim’s mom asks witnesses to come forward
Patrick Demarco Scott Jr.’s bedroom door has been closed since the morning he left home for work in early February.
Neighbors stunned after fatal shooting of South Berkeley man
Neighbors say they are in shock over the fatal shooting Saturday of a quiet South Berkeley man in his 20s who rarely went outside except for work or to take out the garbage.
Update: Man dead after daytime shooting at Berkeley-Oakland border
One person was shot at the Berkeley-Oakland border Saturday morning, authorities report.
2016 homicide
Murder suspect back in custody after violating bail
Berkeley police detectives arrested 27-year-old Will Watson in Lake County, BPD said, and found him with two handguns, a silencer and multiple extended magazines for holding extra ammunition.
Judge: Mill Valley man must stand trial for South Berkeley killing of 19-year-old
A falling out between childhood friends prompted a fatal shooting in 2016 — although the alleged killer had minimal connection to the dispute.
1 year on, Berkeley artist’s killing still unsolved despite $25,000 reward
“He was just all about making sure everyone is happy. He’d always want to hug and kiss me, and say, ‘You’re gonna miss my hugs.’ And I do, I really do.”
Watch: Video report on memorial ‘skate jam’ for Terrence McCrary Jr.
The family of Terrence McCrary Jr. held the second annual skate jam in his memory Saturday. The Berkeley High grad was fatally shot last year in Oakland.
Police, family ask for help to solve fatal shooting that killed 2 BHS alumni
“Somebody saw something. Somebody knows something,” said Stacey Flowers. “All we ask is that you just come forward so we can have justice for these boys.”
Ignacio Celedon
In brief
Questions remain 10 years after unsolved Berkeley homicide
The 35-year-old Chilean was gunned down by two men who tried to rob him. There’s a $50,000 reward for information that leads to his killers.
7 years after Fito Celedón was killed, his fiancée still honors his memory
Amber Nelson has planted a garden, created a street mosaic, traveled throughout Brazil, married and had a child in the seven years since her fiancée was murdered in Berkeley.
Murder victim’s family visits Berkeley looking for answers
One year after Fito Celedón’s brutal murder in Berkeley, his family hopes for new information that could lead to an arrest.
Nancy Jo McClellan
Murderer’s apology read at sentencing hearing: ‘She did not deserve this’
A young man from Richmond found guilty of fatally stabbing a 72-year-old woman in South Berkeley after a wedding in 2014 was sentenced to 21 years to life in prison Friday.
Man takes plea in 2014 murder, carjacking
The 21-year-old Richmond man charged in the fatal stabbing and carjacking of a 72-year-old woman in 2014 has taken a plea and is scheduled to be sentenced this week.
Man held to answer in Berkeley murder, carjacking case
A 20-year-old man accused of murder with special circumstances was ordered Wednesday morning by an Alameda County Superior Court judge to face nearly all of the charges filed against him as the case moves ahead to trial.
Judge Rhonda Burgess dismissed one count and one special circumstance related to rape allegations, and said the prosecution had not presented sufficient evidence to support those charges.
Christian Sheppard
Jury finds man guilty of murder of childhood friend after dice game
Two weeks after the trial began, an Alameda County Superior Court jury found Anthony Durant guilty of gunning down his childhood friend Christian Sheppard during a dice game in South Berkeley in 2015.
Anthony Medearis III
Berkeley High School
Gary Ferguson Jr.
Jury deliberations begin in 2010 Berkeley murder case
There was drama, intrigue and tears at the trial this week for the cold-blooded murder in South Berkeley of Gary Ferguson.
Kamahl Middleton
Dustin Bynum
Pam Mullins
Sylvan Fuselier
Zontee Jones
Jermaine Davis
East Bay Regional Park District
Jessica Kingeter
Tobias Pemadorji Eagle
Peter Cukor
Milanca Lopez
Alverto Santana-Silva
Police offer $10K reward in Grizzly Peak murder case
The 21-year-old Fremont student was killed after he intervened in an argument or disturbance between two groups of strangers three years ago.
Devin Lee Whitmire
Recent stories
19-year-old Berkeley woman dies after drive-by shooting
“She was a little thing but she had the biggest spirit,” Sereinat’e Henderson’s mother-in-law told Berkeleyside on Thursday night.
Pregnant woman, 19, fatally wounded in drive-by shooting
The woman was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, police said. She was taken off life support Thursday and has died.
The 2020 Berkeley gunfire map
Four people have been killed and at least 10 have been wounded in shootings in Berkeley in 2020. Last year, one person was killed and three people were wounded.
