Oakland, California – Residents and business owners in Oakland’s Little Saigon are urgently seeking assistance following a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a member of their community. The incident unfolded when surveillance footage captured a worker from Best Dim Sum on 7th Avenue and 12th Street chasing down an individual who had just assaulted him on Sunday. The victim had confronted the suspect for vandalizing vehicles in the plaza before being fatally struck with a blunt object, as reported by the Oakland Police Department.
Witnessing the violent altercation caused the restaurant owner’s husband to suffer a heart attack, resulting in both him and the injured coworker being hospitalized. Tragically, the victim passed away just one day after the incident. Chien Nguyen, a member of the Little Saigon community, expressed concern for the grieving owner now faced with the somber task of arranging a funeral.
The recent attack has shed light on the escalating crime rates that many in the community perceive as bold and unchecked. This incident follows a string of similar crimes, including a car being intentionally driven into a family-owned tobacco shop within the same plaza. Subsequently, preventative measures such as the installation of concrete barriers have been taken to enhance security in the area.
Business owner Bruce Vuong shared a harrowing experience of his own, recounting a past incident that prompted him to invest in an $8,000 barricade for protection. He emphasized the need for urgent intervention in light of the city’s decision to cancel two police academies as part of a budget-cutting initiative aimed at addressing a significant deficit. The reduction in police staffing and overtime, according to OPD union officials, is anticipated to contribute to a surge in criminal activities.
Voicing distress over the current state of affairs in the city, Vuong emphasized the critical need for assistance. Meanwhile, members of the community have rallied together to support the grieving owner of Best Dim Sum, with plans underway to raise funds to alleviate the unexpected financial burden of a funeral. Despite acknowledging the irreplaceable loss suffered by the owner, Nguyen expressed a collective commitment to offering support during this challenging time.