Police have announced no arrest or suspected motive in the early-morning shooting of 47-year-old Jermaine Newton.
OAKLAND, CA — A longtime Oakland resident and city public works employee was fatally shot while walking his dog before work Tuesday morning in the East Oakland hills, police and relatives said.
Oakland police officers responded at about 6:15 a.m. to a report of a person down near Leona Drive and Old Quarry Loop. They found 47-year-old Jermaine Newton suffering from at least one apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Homicide detectives are investigating what led to the shooting. Police have not identified a suspect, announced an arrest or released a possible motive. Authorities also have not said whether Newton was specifically targeted or encountered the shooter while taking his morning walk.
Newton worked for Oakland Public Works, where he had served since 2022, according to the city. He previously worked as a park attendant and gardener and was most recently a maintenance worker in the Keep Oakland Clean and Beautiful Division.
The division handles work intended to improve public spaces and address neighborhood concerns, including illegal dumping. Newton’s relatives said his job reflected his commitment to the city where he grew up and raised his family.
“Jermaine was a pillar in our community,” his cousin, Trevel Adanandus, told KTVU. “It’s unfortunate what happened.”
Newton’s father, Frank Newton, said his son grew up in West Oakland and played basketball in high school. He later lived in Berkeley and Antioch before returning to Oakland and settling in the hills. His father also had worked for the city’s public works department.
Family members described Newton as a dependable and nurturing father, son and brother who helped care for his younger siblings. They said he remained close to his relatives and regularly joined family gatherings, camping trips and bicycle rides along the Oakland waterfront.
His stepmother, Mary Lavelle, said Newton’s death had been traumatic for the family. Frank Newton said he had expected his sons to outlive him and was struggling to accept that he would now have to bury one of them.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee offered condolences to Newton’s family, friends and colleagues and described him as a dedicated public servant lost to gun violence.
“Jermaine Newton had served in Oakland Public Works since 2022, and our hearts are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and everyone impacted by this loss,” Lee said in a statement.
Newton’s death came as Oakland officials continued to address gun violence across the city. Although broader crime trends do not explain the circumstances of an individual killing, the shooting underscored the lasting effect a single homicide can have on relatives, co-workers and neighbors.
Investigators have released few details about evidence gathered at the scene. Police have not publicly described a possible assailant, a vehicle connected to the shooting or the events immediately preceding the gunfire.
The investigation remained open Sunday. Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Oakland Police Department’s homicide section at 510-238-3821.
Author note: Last updated July 12, 2026.