On June 12, 2013, 23-year-old Aya Nakano was tragically killed in a shooting that remains unsolved. Nakano, who was on his way home to Emeryville after playing basketball, was just an hour away from his 23rd birthday when his vehicle was struck by a silver four-door sedan at the intersection of Stanford Avenue and Market Street in Oakland. Nakano stopped to assess the situation, and the occupants of the other vehicle also stopped. Two individuals exited the silver sedan, approached Nakano, and fatally shot him before fleeing the scene.
This incident drew significant public attention, and the Oakland Police Department, in cooperation with the FBI, has since made multiple appeals for information regarding the suspects. Surveillance footage captured images of the vehicle involved, and authorities have released public service announcements and offered rewards in an effort to find those responsible. The FBI initially offered a $25,000 reward, which was later supplemented by an additional $100,000 offered by Nakano's family to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Despite these efforts, Nakano’s murder remains unsolved. His family and law enforcement officials continue to seek justice, urging anyone with details about the crime to assist in solving this cold case. The circumstances of his death underscore the ongoing struggle faced by many families in Oakland who are affected by unsolved homicides, as they seek closure and justice for their lost loved ones.
