Two officers were released from the hospital after the 9th Avenue encounter.
OAKLAND, Calif. — A traffic stop in East Oakland turned violent Friday morning when police said a driver with a stolen gun in his car dragged two officers, crashed and pinned one officer before being shot.
The Oakland Police Department said the 21-year-old suspect, from Sacramento, was wounded and taken to a hospital. Officials said he is expected to survive. The officers also were hospitalized and released later Friday, according to police.
Police said the encounter began around 3:15 a.m. in the 1200 block of 9th Avenue. Officers stopped the driver, then saw a firearm in plain view inside the vehicle. Investigators later determined the gun was stolen. Police have not said what first led officers to pull the car over.
Interim Police Chief James Beere said the driver attempted to escape while the officers were at the vehicle. He said both officers were dragged before the car crashed beside a parked vehicle. One officer became trapped between the vehicles. That officer fired, hitting the driver, Beere said.
Investigators spent Friday morning collecting evidence in the neighborhood near International Boulevard. A white car was seen partly on the sidewalk, surrounded by yellow tape. Evidence markers lined parts of the street and sidewalk, and a tow truck later removed the car from the scene.
The location is part of a stretch of International Boulevard known for sex trafficking enforcement. Councilmember Charlene Wang said the episode showed how risky police work can become in the area. “We’re not going to let up on the enforcement on the Blade because of this incident,” Wang said.
A woman who spends time in the area and was not identified told KTVU she supports police enforcement there. She said some people in the neighborhood are not afraid of officers and said police need more authority to control chaotic situations.
The shooting triggered the standard review process for Oakland police shootings. The Oakland Police Department, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and the Community Police Review Agency will examine the officer’s use of force. The officers involved will be placed on paid administrative leave during the review.
The department had not released the officers’ names, the suspect’s name or the suspect’s exact condition by Friday afternoon. No court date or charging decision had been announced.
Author note: Last updated May 9, 2026.