SAN LEANDRO, CA – A 13-year-old boy has been arrested following a fatal stabbing that took place in a Safeway store in San Leandro. Local police confirmed the incident occurred at Bancroft Avenue’s Safeway store on April 2.
The victim, identified as 18-year-old Zion Gooden, suffered painful stab wounds on his arm and chest, which proved fatal despite immediate transport to a local trauma center. Based on the ongoing investigation, San Leandro Police Department detectives revealed that the incident stemmed from a disagreement between Gooden and the minor over a third person associated with Gooden.
The verbal disagreement took a severe turn when it developed into a physical altercation, during which Gooden was stabbed by the 13-year-old. Preliminary evidence suggests that the minor and Gooden did not know each other prior to this tragic situation.
The breakthrough in the case progression happened thanks to the help of surveillance video and eyewitness accounts, allowing the authorities to track the young suspect. Last Thursday, the police arrested the 13-year-old at his school in a neighboring town. The police searched the suspect’s home, finding additional evidence linking him to the fatal incident. The minor is currently being held at Alameda County Juvenile Hall.
San Leandro Police Lt. Abe Teng expressed surprise at the young age of the offender in such a serious crime. He took the opportunity to advise parents to inculcate a sense of peaceful conflict resolution in their children. Meanwhile, a murder charge has been filed against the juvenile by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.