Extra

A Berkeley Technology Academy (B-Tech) student was shot near Martin Luther King Jr. and Dwight Way around 3 p.m. today (Thursday), according to authorities. 

Police officials said that contrary to earlier reports of two different shootings, there had been only one shooting incident at that location. 

Berkeley Police Department (BPD) spokesperson Sgt. Mary Kusmiss said a 911 call to the Berkeley police reported a young man with a gun at the corner of MLK and Dwight Way around 3:12 p.m. 

Minutes later another caller reported a young man in the same area firing a gun into the ground, Kusmiss said. 

When officers dashed to MLK and Dwight Way, they did not find any trace of victims or suspects or evidence of a crime scene. 

“Moments later, a woman driving a car flagged down a BPD officer on Channing Way just west of Shattuck Ave.,” Kusmiss said. 

The woman, who identified herself as a teacher at B-Tech, pointed to a 17-year-old boy in the passenger seat who had several gun shot wounds in his abdomen. 

“The woman said the young man had flagged her down,” Kusmiss said. 

“Apparently, after the young man was shot, he recognized her as one of his B-Tech teachers. He got into her car and said he needed help.” 

The B-Tech teacher was driving the student to the hospital when she came across the police officers, Kusmiss said. 

“The young man was in a state of shock and was not able to offer too many details to the police officers,” she said. 

“Officers accompanied him to Highland Hospital where he is currently undergoing surgery,” Kusmiss told the Planet around 6 p.m. Thursday. 

“His wounds do not appear to be life-threatening. We hope to learn more about the incident once the operation is over.” 

Kusmiss said she could not disclose the name of the B-Tech teacher since she was involved in a violent crime. 

Meanwhile, community members and police officers had carried out a neighborhood canvas and search for the suspect, police said. 

“Area residents told officers that they saw a young man fleeing over some fences in the 1800 block of Dwight Way.” Kusmiss said. 

“Very talented and skilled officers searched the area but were not able to find him. The suspect was described by community members as a ‘black male between 15 and 17 years old, 5’7”, 140 lbs, wearing an oversized white t-shirt and baggy blue jeans,” she said. 

“We have not found an actual witness to the shooting and are asking people to come forward with any information.” 

Today’s (Thursday) shooting is the second one in the past 3 days. 

Berkeley resident Maceo Smith was gunned down and killed near the Douglas parking lot on Durant Avenue in broad daylight Tuesday. 

Police have arrested a 19-year-old Berkeley resident in connection to the shooting. 

Kusmiss attributed the sudden spike in shootings to the weather. 

“We have always seen more activity during warmer weather,” she said. 

Please contact Berkeley Homicide detectives at 510-981-5741 with any information on the shooting of the B-Tech student.