Gerald Catalan was 17 when he was killed in Oakland, California on December 27, 2008. His death came during a particularly violent year for the city, which recorded 115 homicides in 2008 and saw much of the shooting and gun violence concentrated in longtime hot spots in East and West Oakland.

The case sits against a backdrop of persistent gang activity, limited economic opportunity, and repeated struggles to reduce violence. Community and police efforts such as Ceasefire sought targeted interventions but faced funding and trust problems, and the city’s homicide clearance rate remained low that year. Authorities have urged residents to provide information, but many cases involving young victims have stayed unresolved.

If anyone knew Gerald, was in Oakland that week, or has information about what happened on December 27, 2008, please come forward.