Schevette Butts, a 62-year-old resident of Oakland, California, tragically lost her life following a shooting incident on September 12, 2017. On that fateful day, Butts was riding in a car in East Oakland when she was struck by a bullet. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. in the 7100 block of International Boulevard. Despite being rushed to Highland Hospital, Butts succumbed to her injuries on October 2, 2017.
The motive behind the shooting was initially unclear, and no immediate arrests were made following the incident.
The investigation into Butts' death took a significant turn when Diamond Cooper, a 19-year-old woman, was charged with her murder. According to the police, Butts was in the front passenger seat of a white Honda Accord, while Cooper was seated in the rear. The car was being driven by another 19-year-old, Tonea Thomas. It was reported that Thomas handed a loaded semi-automatic pistol to Cooper, who then accidentally discharged the weapon, striking Butts. After the shooting, Thomas and Cooper drove Butts to Highland Hospital but provided false information to the authorities before fleeing the scene. The police later recovered the firearm, a shell casing, and a slug from the vehicle.
Multiple witnesses identified Cooper as the shooter, leading to her arrest at her home in San Jose on October 12, 2017. Thomas was also arrested in Oakland and charged with being an accessory after the fact and carrying a loaded firearm in a city. Cooper initially faced murder charges but later pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter. In December 2018, she was sentenced to four years in state prison. Thomas, who admitted to possessing a loaded firearm in a public place, faced charges of being an accessory and carrying a loaded firearm. She was released on bail and awaited sentencing, which could result in probation or up to three years in prison.
The case of Schevette Butts' death highlights the tragic consequences of gun violence and the complexities involved in legal proceedings following such incidents. The investigation and subsequent legal actions underscore the efforts of law enforcement and the judicial system to bring justice to the victims and their families.
