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OPD Investigates Alumni Deaths

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Berkeley High School (BHS) alumni Craig Fletcher-Cooks, 20, and Terrence McCrary Jr., 22, were killed on the 300th block of 15th Street in Oakland in a shooting that also critically injured a 24-year-old man.

Both men had graduated from BHS the year before and their deaths came as a shock to the entirety of the BHS community. Altars were created in their memory outside of BHS’ library.

Cooks was a dedicated athlete — a rugby player for the Berkeley Rhinos club, and a member of the BHS football team.

Elijah Woods, a long term friend of Cooks, described him as honest and protective. “He was intelligent and open and wasn’t afraid to stand out. He was always the friendliest guy in the room,” said Woods.

McCrary was an avid skater, and the Berkeley skate park was renamed in his honor. His family held a skate jam at the park last Saturday to celebrate his life.

On August 14, the Oakland Police Department reached out to the public through a press conference with the hope that witnesses will come forward to testify.

According to the police report, Cooks was with his girlfriend when four men approached her. When Cooks stepped in to clarify she was there with him, they began attacking him and several shots were fired. The shots struck McCrary and one other as they fled.

The police say that they believe nearly three hundred people were in attendance at the time of the shooting.

Oakland Police Investigations Sgt. Michael Cardoza said, “What I’m doing today is seeking the community’s help … I know on that date and at that time there were hundreds of people, and what I’m asking is that someone come forward. I know someone saw something.”

Stacey Flowers, one of Cooks’ cousins, also spoke at the hearing, saying, “All we ask is that you just come forward so we can have justice for these boys.” She continued, “We can’t get our children back, our family members back, but we can have some type of closure, some justice for these young boys.”

The police are seeking any footage that may have been filmed during the shooting, a description of the initial fight, or any details about the suspects, such as what they were wearing at the time. Cardoza stated that, even if you think it is small or insignificant, to please come forward.

The police announced a 25,000 dollar reward for any information leading to the arrest of any suspects linked to the shooting.