Alfred Nunnery Sr., aged 38, was tragically shot and killed on January 29, 2015, outside Vernon Market in Oakland's Adams Point neighborhood. The incident occurred around 9:05 p.m. at 3210 Harrison Street near Pearl Street. Nunnery, who resided in Oakland, was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, Luis Alfaro, an 18-year-old acquaintance of Nunnery, was arrested and charged with murder.
According to Oakland police, Alfaro surrendered to authorities due to the pressure applied after he was identified as a suspect. He is currently being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting involved a confrontation between Nunnery and Alfaro. Reports indicate that Nunnery had a criminal history, having pleaded no contest to carjacking and making criminal threats in 2006. This incident involved the abduction of his ex-girlfriend and their 9-month-old son. On the day of the shooting, Alfaro's lawyer argued that Alfaro acted in self-defense after Nunnery allegedly pointed a gun at him. Surveillance footage from the convenience store showed Nunnery and a companion arguing with Alfaro's friend inside the store, which escalated outside. Alfaro arrived at the scene and, according to the judge, began shooting almost immediately, suggesting a premeditated act.
The legal proceedings following the incident have been complex. Alfaro's lawyer requested a low bail, arguing self-defense, but the judge set bail at $5 million due to the severity of the charges. The judge acknowledged potential self-defense issues but emphasized that these would be determined by a jury during the trial. The case has highlighted the challenges in distinguishing between self-defense and premeditated murder, especially given Nunnery's criminal background and the circumstances of the confrontation. Alfaro is scheduled to return to court to enter a plea, and the trial will further explore the details of the incident and the motivations behind the shooting.
