Mikell Newell, 27, of Berkeley, was fatally shot on May 19, 2013, in East Oakland. The shooting happened around 4:30 a.m. in the 1400 block of 92nd Avenue while Newell was with a friend, Jeron Smith. Smith was later questioned multiple times by a mutual friend, Lakisha Young, who thought he was withholding information about the killing. A later confrontation between Young and Smith ended with Young shooting Smith; she was convicted of second-degree murder.

Newell’s homicide remains unsolved and is listed among the many deaths on Oakland’s most violent blocks, areas linked to ongoing gang activity and gun violence. Efforts to reduce crime in those neighborhoods have faced cooperation and systemic challenges, which have complicated clearing cases like this one.

If anyone knew Mikell, was present in the 1400 block of 92nd Avenue on May 19, 2013, or has information about that morning, please come forward.