Oakland Sets Record for Homicides

The city has reached a record-breaking 164 homicides this year, three more than last year, after a bloody night of violence left four people dead, police said.

The deaths mark the third consecutive year that Oakland has broken a previous year’s record, according to Lt. Mike Sims. In 1989, the city had 148 homicides and in 1990 there were 161.

Sims said the unrelated homicides on Monday included a teen-ager found shot to death in a car and a suspect shot by a police officer.

“There’s no obvious link, just an increase in violence,” Sims said.

The homicides came just days after a coalition of community groups called for a 30-day truce on violence in Oakland. At the time of the announcement, homicides stood at 160, one less than last year’s record of 161.