Craig Fletcher-Cooks, a 20-year-old graduate of Berkeley High School, was tragically killed on August 14, 2016, in a double homicide during a birthday party in downtown Oakland. The incident took place near an art gallery on the 300 block of 15th Street, where hundreds of people had gathered. Fletcher-Cooks was with his girlfriend when a group accosted her. As he attempted to defend her, he was assaulted and shot, resulting in his death.
Another young man, Terrence McCrary Jr., also lost his life that night, and a third individual was injured in the shooting.
The event shocked the community, especially given the large number of people present during the shooting. Despite the efforts of the Oakland police and a $25,000 reward for information, the case has not seen resolution for years. Both Fletcher-Cooks and McCrary were remembered as bright young men with promising futures. Fletcher-Cooks had recently completed a program to advance his career, and McCrary was an aspiring artist. The pain of their deaths continues to reverberate through their families, who have sought justice for their loved ones in the years since the tragedy. The legal case related to the killings faced challenges, and at one point, charges were dropped against a suspect, which further deepened the frustration of the victims' families.
Both families continue to advocate for justice and accountability in this tragic case, with community efforts focusing on solving the murder and preventing similar violence in Oakland.
