On July 27, 2011, 29-year-old Oakland resident Paris Powell was shot and killed while handing out meals to homeless people on the 1000 block of 47th Avenue in East Oakland. He had parked his van for the distribution and was with his wife and two young children when a vehicle approached and someone inside opened fire. Powell was shot in the head; his wife suffered non-life-threatening injuries and a 3-year-old stepdaughter was struck in the arm. Powell was taken to Highland Hospital, removed from life support, and pronounced dead that night.

Known locally for about a year for regular charitable work feeding the homeless and sometimes called Brother John, Powell’s killing left the community shocked. The motive remained unclear and no arrests were announced immediately after the shooting; police urged witnesses to come forward. If anyone remembers that night or saw a vehicle or people in the area, please share what you know with investigators.