Sean Phillip Collins, 25, was shot around 12:45 p.m. on March 15, 2020, on the 9700 block of Edes Avenue in Oakland’s Brookfield Village neighborhood. He was taken to a hospital and later died. The shooting happened outside a convenience store; initial reports said circumstances were unclear.

Oakland resident Willie Howard Pope, 40, was arrested and charged with murder and illegal gun possession in connection with the shooting. Prosecutors say witnesses, surveillance footage and cellphone records identified Pope as a suspect. Court testimony at a preliminary hearing described a dispute over $5,000 that Collins allegedly owed to a relative of Pope’s, and the relative testified Collins had offered marijuana instead of repaying the money and had been avoiding collection attempts.

The relative’s account of events included visiting the convenience store with Pope that day and conflicting statements about hearing gunshots. Pope’s attorney contended the relative’s statements were coerced; the judge ruled the testimony admissible. Pope later pleaded no contest to manslaughter with a gun enhancement and was sentenced to 19 years in state prison.

If anyone knew Sean, his routines, or saw activity near the 9700 block of Edes Avenue that afternoon, please share what you remember.