On August 13, 2024, 53-year-old Will Schwerma was fatally shot while inside a parked vehicle in the 3400 block of Beach Street in Oakland, California. This area is known to be frequented by individuals living in RVs and vans.
Prior to his death, Schwerma was among a group of residents from the large homeless encampment on Wood Street who had sued the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in federal court.
They sought to prevent the state from clearing them out of the encampment.
As of October 2024, no arrests have been made in connection with Schwerma's death, and the Oakland Police Department has not identified any suspects or motives. Complicating the investigation is the fact that Oakland Crime Stoppers, an organization that typically offers rewards for information leading to arrests in such cases, has been experiencing financial and operational difficulties. The group has not met or paid out any rewards since January 2021 due to issues including loss of access to their bank account. This situation has led to concerns that the lack of financial incentives may hinder potential witnesses from coming forward with crucial information.
Schwerma's wife, Katie Miller, expressed her frustration and fear that the absence of reward money could impede the investigation into her husband's murder. She noted that in the area where her husband was killed, there is a general distrust of law enforcement, and a financial incentive might encourage individuals to share information. However, the revelation that Oakland Crime Stoppers lacks the funds to offer such rewards has left her feeling as though "the rug was taken out from underneath me because now I have nothing, no bargaining chips."
The Oakland Police Department has acknowledged the challenges faced by Oakland Crime Stoppers and has stated that there was no intention to mislead the public regarding the availability of reward funds. They have expressed a commitment to collaborating with the group to resolve these issues and restore its functionality.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information about the case to contact the Oakland Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division at (510) 238-3951. The community's assistance remains vital in seeking justice for Schwerma and providing closure for his grieving family.
