We're Killing Each Other In The Bay Area: Bailey Is Just The Latest Victim
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Chauncey Bailey, who recently was promoted to be editor of the Oakland Post, was fatally shot in downtown Oakland just before 7:30 a.m. Thursday in what appears to be a targeted hit.
"This is disheartening," said Oakland police spokesman Roland Holmgren, who knew Bailey.
Holmgren said the 58-year-old journalist was shot multiple times in the 250 block of 14th Street near Alice Street, which is near a large post office on 13th Street and a McDonald's restaurant at 14th and Jackson streets. He lived about 12 blocks away from the paper's offices and typically walked to worked. He was scheduled to be in at 9:00am.
Holmgren said witnesses told police that a lone gunman dressed in black clothing and black headgear approached Bailey, shot him multiple times and then fled on foot.Witnesses said they heard four shots. Bailey was shot once in the back and once in the head, Oakland Fire Department Capt. Melinda Drayton said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bailey worked for The Oakland Tribune for more than 10 years before leaving the newspaper in 2003, according to Tribune employees. He later joined the Oakland Post, which is oriented toward serving the area's black community.
"This is a great loss not only for the Post, but for the Bay Area," Cobb said. He said they were making plans to take the paper national. Cobb called the shooting surreal. He said Bailey had "a nose for news" and was the hardest working man in journalism.
Cobb said he spoke to Bailey on Wednesday night and he seemed upbeat.
Derrick Nesbitt praised Bailey for helping him get into the news business when Bailey hosted a television program called "Soul Beat." Nesbitt said, "Chauncey was very controversial and could bring anger out in people."
"I was shocked and saddened to learn of Chauncey Bailey's death this morning. Chauncey contributed so much to the fabric our community, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. It is my hope that the perpetrators of this horrible crime are brought to justice swiftly, and that Chauncey's untimely death will bring our community together and strengthen our collective hand in rooting out this type of violence," said Democratic Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
Mayor Ron Dellums also expressed words of praise for Bailey.
"It is a tragedy when any person loses his or her life by an act of violence. The crime and violence on Oakland streets presents me with the most painful and difficult challenge I’ve ever faced. We should all be able to move through our lives on the streets of Oakland in peace and safety. We are all diminished by the loss of any one of us," Dellums said.