Roderick Tucker

Roderick Tucker, a 21-year-old African-American man from Oakland, California, was known by loved ones as outgoing, charming, and charismatic. His life was cut short on the evening of Friday, July 8, 2016, in a sudden act of violence that remains unsolved.

The shooting occurred at approximately 7:06 p.m. in the 9100 block of International Boulevard in East Oakland. Roderick had just stepped out of a parked car when more than one gunman, positioned in the center median of the boulevard, opened fire on him. He was struck multiple times. The assailants fled the scene on foot. At least one building in the vicinity was also hit by the gunfire, but no one else was injured. Emergency services responded, and Roderick was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that night at 11:29 p.m. His death was the 32nd homicide investigated by Oakland police that year.

The Oakland Police Department launched an investigation into Roderick's murder, but a motive has not been determined. In the days following the shooting, police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland offered a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects responsible for his death. Despite this, no arrests have been made, and no one has been charged in connection with Roderick Tucker's killing.

The day after Roderick was killed, a street memorial appeared near the scene of the shooting. Tragically, this site of mourning became the location of another homicide. On the morning of July 9, 2016, Roderick's half-brother, Anthony Roy Wilson, was in the area with several associates near the memorial. An altercation occurred that resulted in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Anthony Stevens, who was sitting in his car nearby.

The investigation into Stevens' death quickly led to arrests. Wilson and four other men, identified by police as members or associates of a hybrid gang called the Five Kingdom Mafia, were arrested and charged. Prosecutors argued that Stevens' murder was an act of revenge, though defense attorneys claimed their clients acted in self-defense. During the subsequent trial, Wilson testified that he had been in the area asking people for information about his brother Roderick's death. He stated, "I lost my little brother the night before so I know how you feel," expressing remorse to the Stevens family but maintaining he did not plan the shooting.

In February 2019, the men were convicted on various charges related to Anthony Stevens' death, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and voluntary manslaughter. They received lengthy prison sentences. However, it is crucial to note that these arrests and convictions were exclusively for the murder of Anthony Stevens. The murder of Roderick Tucker remains a separate and unsolved case.

As of the latest reports from 2019, Roderick Tucker’s case is still open. The gunmen who took his life have never been identified or brought to justice. The reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest is still active. Oakland police urge anyone with information to call them at 510-238-3821 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.