Young father killed in Oakland identified

A young man was fatally shot in the head while pushing his 1-year-old son in a toy stroller at a housing project in East Oakland yesterday afternoon.

Today he was identified by police as 24-year-old Tyrell Omar Smith.

The shooting occurred in the Lockwood Gardens housing project. Smith moved there just four months ago from Richmond.

Police, who are calling the attack “cold-blooded,” say the suspect drove up in a car, got out, walked up and fired without warning, and then fled in the car.

Moments later a red and blue plastic race-car stroller sat empty a few feet away from the man’s lifeless body.

“We’re used to it — I’ve been here 40 years and seen it all,” said a resident who declined to be named, and still considers the neighborhood a safe place to live.

“The suspect had complete disregard for the presence of the infant,” Sgt. Randy Wingate said. “Luckily, the child was not hurt.”

After the shooting, the little boy was quickly scooped up and taken to safety by a resident, said Oakland police Sgt. Arturo Bautista.

Even though the shooting occurred in broad daylight, CBS reports very few witnesses have come forward and police don’t have a solid description of the shooter. Police are hopeful that video cameras inside the complex help them identify the shooter and solve the case.

“We might have more information by tonight,” said Wingate.

Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information can call police at (510) 238-3326.