Mikell Newell, 27, of Berkeley, was fatally shot on May 19, 2013, in East Oakland, California. The incident occurred in the 1400 block of 92nd Avenue around 4:30 a.m. Newell was with a friend, Jeron Smith, at the time of the shooting. Later, it emerged that Smith was questioned multiple times by another mutual friend, Lakisha Young, who believed he was withholding information about the killing. In a subsequent confrontation between Young and Smith, Young shot Smith, resulting in her conviction for second-degree murder.
The homicide of Mikell Newell remains unsolved, contributing to the high rate of unsolved cases in Oakland during that time. Newell’s death is one of many that occurred in Oakland's 100 most violent blocks, areas known for their persistent issues with gang activity and gun violence. Despite initiatives aimed at reducing crime, cooperation issues and systemic problems have made it challenging to resolve cases like Newell's and prevent similar incidents in the future.
