Reward offered in bid to solve man’s slaying

It’s been five months since Patrick Scott’s death, and investigators have yet to find any reason why someone would target the reserved young man.

Scott was a homebody. He’d never been in trouble with police and wasn’t bothering anyone in the moments before he was gunned down Feb. 3 in broad daylight at an Oakland bus stop on 62nd and Market streets.

But police believe the 27year-old Berkeley man was, in fact, the intended victim on that day and have asked for the public’s assistance in identifying his killer.

“It’s important because of the dignity of being human beings,” said Bertram Fairries, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Francisco Division. “But I think what makes this even more significant ... is that there was no reason for this killing. This was an innocent victim.”

The Oakland Police Department and FBI are now offering a combined $30,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case; $20,000 from the FBI and $10,000 from Oakland’s Crime Stoppers program. The law enforcement agencies are jointly investigating the case as a part of their Homicide Task Force.

Officer Michael Jaeger, an investigator on the case, said the department couldn’t release descriptions of any suspect or suspects at this time. Jaeger also declined to disclose why investigators believe the killer specifically zeroed in on Scott.

Jaeger described Scott as an “innocent young man” who had just learned to take the bus on his own. That day, he was waiting for a ride to his grandmother’s house at about 10:50 a.m. when the suspect opened fire.

“(Scott) was loved by his family, he didn’t do anything to deserve what happened to him,” Jaeger said.

Scott’s mother, Carol Jones, spoke with reporters at the Oakland Police Department on Tuesday, shortly after officials announced the reward.

Jones described her son as a “humble giant,” and noted that he was born with a disability. She has launched her own mission to solve Scott’s murder, and she corrected a reporter who said it had been about six months since his death.

“No, it’s been five months and 14 days,” she said. “And it’s moving too slow. I do not want my son’s case to be a cold case.”

Jones estimated she’s handed out about 1,500 to 1,600 flyers around the neighborhood, posting them at libraries, churches and community centers.

“As his mother, my work is never done,” she said. “I’m still his mother, regardless of whether he’s here or not.”

Police said anyone with information about the case can call the Oakland Police Department’s homicide section at 510-238-3821 or the FBI San Francisco Division at 415-5537400. Tipsters may remain anonymous.