Jermaine Newton, 47, was fatally shot while walking his dog in the East Oakland Hills near Leona Drive and Old Quarry Loop shortly before 6:15 a.m. on July 7, 2026. Officers responding to reports of a person down found Newton with at least one gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting was recorded as Oakland’s 27th homicide of the year.

Newton worked for the City of Oakland since 2022 and had recently started as a maintenance worker with the Keep Oakland Clean and Beautiful Division, handling illegal dumping and related duties. Family remembered him as kind, funny, and patient, and said he was a devoted father to a 21-year-old son. Relatives questioned whether the killing was a robbery or a targeted attack, noting his regular routine and the specific location.

The Oakland Police Department opened a homicide investigation, canvassing the scene and asking the public for surveillance or doorbell camera footage. No motive had been established and no suspects had been identified or arrested in the initial reports. If anyone has information or footage that could help the investigation, please come forward.