A knifeman went on a 30-minute rampage across Oakland Monday night leaving one person dead and four others injured.
The stabbing spree began just before 7:30 p.m. As the alleged perpetrator moved between multiple locations across the city, including the Fruitvale BART station. The first victim was found inside Cesar Chavez Park and later died. Two other victims remain in critical condition, while two are listed in stable condition.
Residents who witnessed the chaos helped officers locate the man near 39th Avenue, between International Boulevard and East 18th Street, where police made an arrest. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive or said whether the suspect knew any of the victims.
According to the Oakland Police Department, the first incident was initially reported as a shooting shortly before 7:30 p.m. Monday in the 1800 block of 38th Avenue inside Cesar Chavez Park. Responding officers determined the victim had been stabbed and performed life-saving measures, but the victim died at the scene.
Officers then found a second victim near 38th Avenue and San Leandro Street. While investigating that attack, police were alerted by BART officers that a third stabbing victim had been found near the Fruitvale BART station.
Two more victims were subsequently discovered near 39th Avenue and International Boulevard, bringing the total to five people attacked. Just before 8 p.m., community members directed officers to the 1500 block of 39th Avenue, where police safely took the suspect into custody. A weapon was recovered at the scene.
The four surviving victims were taken for medical treatment, with two listed in critical condition and two in stable condition. The identity of the person who died has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The Homicide Section is leading the investigation into the fatal attack as detectives work to determine what sparked the violence and whether the separate incidents were connected. Police have not said whether the suspect and victims knew each other.
Investigators are asking anyone with information, photos or video from the incidents to contact Oakland police.
The violence comes as Oakland continues to grapple with a long-running crime problem, despite recent improvements in some categories. The city has historically ranked among California’s major cities with the highest overall and violent crime rates, including elevated levels of assault, robbery and property theft.
At the same time, violent crime and homicides in Oakland have posted significant double-digit declines through 2025 and into 2026, according to the figures provided. Other California cities, including Stockton and San Bernardino, have also recorded high per-capita crime and homicide rates.
The Oakland Police Department has about 734 officers serving a population of roughly 419,481 people, according to the figures provided.
Investigators are now asking anyone who witnessed the attacks or captured photos or video of the incidents to come forward as detectives work to establish the full timeline of the 30-minute series of stabbings.