OAKLAND — A 43-year-old Auburn man found dead inside his tow truck that crashed into an East Oakland building Monday morning died from a gunshot wound, authorities said.
The man, whose name has not yet been released, was found about 4:13 a.m. Monday inside his 2019 Ford F450 tow truck that crashed into a building in the 1800 block of East 12th Street at 19th Avenue.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, but Alameda County Sheriff’s Office coroner’s staff who examined the man’s body later discovered he had been shot.
Police said it appears the man was driving westbound along East 12th Street when something caused him to leave the roadway and crash into the building. Investigators shared few preliminary details, but did say they were not sure if that was where the shooting occurred or if it happened at another location.
No one else was injured. Police have not yet determined what the man was doing in Oakland.
The killing is the 57th homicide investigated by Oakland police this year. Last year at this time, police had investigated 31 homicides in the city.
Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of suspects. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3821 or 510-238-7950 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.
Staff writer George Kelly contributed to this report.
