Oakland police officer killed during burglary sting Friday morning

An on-duty Oakland police officer was shot and killed early Friday morning, the Oakland Police Department said.

The officer, identified as Tuan Le, was working with other officers on what police described as a burglary operation when they received a call about a burglary in progress at a cannabis business on the 400 block of the Embarcadero at 4:33 a.m.

When the police arrived, they saw multiple people leaving the unnamed business. One of the individuals opened fire on the responding officers and hit Le, who was in plainclothes and driving an unmarked vehicle, the police department said.

Police did not return fire, the department said. Le was rushed to Highland Hospital in Oakland, where he died from his wounds a short time later.

“The dangers and demands of this profession are real, and come with significant sacrifice,” Oakland Interim Police Chief Darren Allison said at a news conference Friday afternoon. “Sadly, today, one of our officers paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

No arrests have been made in connection to the shooting, Allison said. Oakland homicide detectives are leading the investigation.

“Our members are devastated by this unwarranted attack and the loss of one of our family,” Barry Donelan, president of the Oakland Police Officers’ Association, said in a statement. “I am proud of the officers who responded this morning and carried their brother to the hospital on their shoulders. Their actions personified what it means to be an Oakland police officer. As we mourn, rest assured that we are also determined to bring this cop killer to justice.”

Le is the 54th Oakland police officer who has died in the line of duty since 1867, according to the association. Allison said Le had been with the police department for four years. Before Friday, the last officer killed on the job was Paul Carlisle in 2015.

Multiple news outlets reported that there were several Oakland police officers, Alameda County sheriff’s deputies and members of the California Highway Patrol at the scene early Friday morning. Authorities had closed the roadway in both directions from Oak Street to 16th Avenue, and blocked off several on-ramps to Interstate 880.

CBS Bay Area reported that “a white Toyota Tacoma truck with bullet holes and windows shattered” that had crashed into a parked car was at the scene. It’s unclear who the driver of the vehicle was. The outlet also reported that a vigil at Highland Hospital, attended by police and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, was held Friday morning.

“Oakland, this loss cuts deep,” Thao, who was visibly emotional, said at Friday’s news conference. “Many of our officers are hurting right now, and they’re going to need our support. Our community is in shock. This senseless murder of a police officer — one of the guardians of our beautiful city —  will not stand. Oakland will work tirelessly with all of our law enforcement partners to find those responsible for this assault on our city.” 

This breaking story has been updated.