Arrests have been made in connection to the fatal shooting of an undercover Oakland police officer, police said Tuesday. Velena Jones reports.
Arrests have been made in connection to the fatal shooting of an undercover Oakland police officer, police said Tuesday.
Officer Tuan Le was in plainclothes and in an unmarked car when he was shot while responding to a burglary at a cannabis site in Jack London Square Friday morning.
"We are all devastated by this senseless act of violence, and our hearts continue to mourn his passing," the Oakland Police Department said in a statement Tuesday.
Police said arrests were made over the weekend, including another suspect arrested on Tuesday morning. Oakland police and multiple agencies have been working around the clock to bring justice to Le's family.
"This is just the beginning of a lengthy legal process," OPD said. "We are hopeful that it will start the healing for Officer Le's grieving family and our entire OPD family."
Le, 36, was born in Vietnam and was a familiar and welcome face around Oakland’s Little Saigon and Chinatown. In just under four years with OPD, he built strong relationships with city residents — particularly elders in the Asian community.
Oakland Chamber of Commerce President Carl Chan said he remembered Le for his humility, adding that the officer was skilled at de-escalating tense situations.
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Oakland Police Officers' Association President Barry Donelan provided the following statement on Tuesday:
"Thank you to the members of the Oakland Police Department and allied law enforcement agencies who have worked tirelessly to bring about the swift arrests of suspects involved in our brother’s murder. We continue to grieve along with Officer Le’s family but take solace from the progress of the investigation and the relentless pursuit of justice by the professional and dedicated members of the department. Great job by everyone."
Le is the 54th Oakland police officer killed in the line of duty. He is survived by his widow.
