Man fatally stabbed in 4th killing in cul-de-sac

OAKLAND >> A man was stabbed to death early Sunday in a cul-de-sac next to Lake Merritt that has seen three other killings since November.

The man was stabbed just after 3 a.m. in the 1200 block of Lakeshore Avenue, which is at the end of a cul-de-sac and runs along the southern end of the lake. Hours later, Oakland police were still trying to identify the man, who appears to be in his 30s.

Police said it appears the man got into a confrontation with at least one other person, and he was stabbed multiple times. Police have not said what they believe the confrontation was about.

He was found in the middle of the street and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:31 a.m.

Police believe a bicycle found near the man was his, but they remain uncertain about where he lived. No arrests have been announced in his death.

The killing marks the fourth homicide since November on the same culde-sac, which also includes the 1300 and 1400 blocks of Lakeshore Avenue.

On Nov. 11, Devani Aleman Sanchez, 22, of Oakland was shot during an attempted robbery in that same cul-de-sac, and she died two days later. Two men — Lashawn Price, 33, of Stockton and Torrin Dupclay, 32, of Crockett — were later arrested, and authorities suspect they carried out a string of robberies across Oakland.

The following month, on Christmas Eve, Ricky Bustos, 38, was fatally shot after repeatedly turning down offers to buy marijuana from a man who had approached him, according to court documents.

Emmanuel GardnerCraft,

21, was later arrested in connection with the slaying.

And on April 6, a 33-yearold man was fatally shot in an apparent robbery.

There also have been seven nonfatal shootings in the cul-de-sac since May of last year.

Sunday's killing represents the 40th homicide investigated by Oakland police this year. There also have been at least two other fatal shootings along freeways in Oakland, which were investigated by the California Highway Patrol.

Last year at this time, Oakland police investigated 47 homicides in the city.

Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information that leads to an arrest of the killer in Sunday's homicide.

Police can be contacted at 510-238-3821 or 510-2387950. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 510-777-8572.