What started as a group of young people causing a disturbance in an Emeryville store late Sunday afternoon turned into what police called “civil unrest,” during which one person was stabbed and gunshots were reported.
Emeryville police had to call for reinforcements from neighboring law enforcement agencies during the four-hour incident involving hundreds of young people fighting.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., police received a call from a business at the Bay Street mall about a group of about 50 young adults inside a store causing a disturbance. Officers arrived and escorted them out.
Police said in a statement that, at about 5:15 p.m. while patrolling the area, officers saw another group of about 100 young people arriving at the mall. Over the next 30 minutes, an additional 100 to 150 young adults showed up at the mall.
At about 5:40 p.m., the first of several fights were reported near the courtyard area of the mall. Officers attempted to maintain the peace while additional smaller fights broke out. Police then called for assistance from other agencies, including Berkeley police.
At about 5:50 p.m., there was a report of a single gunshot fired near Bay Street and Ohlone Way. Officers didn’t locate any victims or suspects.
Around 7 p.m., police received a call of a stabbing near Elm Drive. Officers found a juvenile victim, and emergency medical responders rendered aid and transported the juvenile to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
With officers patrolling the area, most of the crowds dispersed by 8:30 p.m., police said. There were no other reports of injuries or looting, police said.
Emeryville Police Department Reports Civil Unrest and Assault Incident https://t.co/6LyNGBubeF
— Emeryville Police Department (@EmeryvillePD) August 28, 2023