Madalyn Elizabeth Sandoval, 19, of Brentwood, was shot and killed in East Oakland on November 6, 2020. The shooting happened about 3:36 a.m. while she was inside a car on Independence Way near San Antonio Park. She was driven to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Why she was in Oakland that night and the motive for the shooting remain unclear.

Police later charged two men, Willie Samuels and Fernando Sevilla, after investigators concluded a shootout took place between occupants of separate vehicles and surveillance footage captured the exchange of gunfire. Both men have said the other fired first; prosecutors contend both are legally responsible for Sandoval’s death because of their mutual involvement in the gunfight. Preliminary hearings found sufficient probable cause to proceed to trial.

Who knew Madalyn or saw activity around Independence Way that early morning?