Samuel Woldetensae was 32 when he was found shot to death inside a vehicle in East Oakland on June 11, 2008. The killing occurred in a part of the city long affected by gun violence, where a disproportionate share of Oakland’s shootings and homicides have taken place.

The investigation encountered obstacles described as common for Oakland homicides of that era, including reluctance of witnesses to come forward and a lack of strong leads. Those challenges, together with understaffing and limited resources in the Oakland Police Department, contributed to low clearance rates and left families without resolution.

Anyone who knew Samuel, saw activity in East Oakland around June 11, 2008, or has information that could help the case is asked to come forward.