From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Johannes Mehserle arrested
Meserle arrested today, though it's unclear on what charges.
OAKLAND — Johannes Mehserle, the BART police officer who shot and killed an unarmed man New Year's Day, has been arrested, a high-ranking Oakland city official confirmed late Tuesday.
It was not clear what charges Mehserle could face. David Chai, the chief of staff for Mayor Ron Dellums, who confirmed the arrest, said he knew no further details.
Mehserle's killing of Oscar Grant III has led to massive public outcry, particularly since video of the shooting surfaced.
It was not clear what charges Mehserle could face. David Chai, the chief of staff for Mayor Ron Dellums, who confirmed the arrest, said he knew no further details.
Mehserle's killing of Oscar Grant III has led to massive public outcry, particularly since video of the shooting surfaced.
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network
Mehserle, 27, was taken into custody in Douglas County, Nevada, said Deputy Steve Velez of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The arrest was also confirmed by David Chai, chief of staff to Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums.
Mehserle was arrested in connection with an investigation by the Oakland Police Department into the shooting of Oscar Grant, 22. An Alameda County judge signed an arrest warrant, and Mehserle surrendered without incident, authorities said.
Douglas County sheriff's officials refused to disclose what crime Mehserle was accused of committing in the arrest warrant. Deputy Velez said Sheriff Ron P. Pierini would make a statement on Wednesday.
Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff was also expected to announce details of the arrest Wednesday.
Efforts to reach attorneys for Mehserle were unsuccessful.
The arrest comes on the eve of a scheduled protest at 4 p.m. Wednesday outside Oakland City Hall, the latest in a series of demonstrations in which BART has been accused of mishandling the shooting investigation.
On Monday, BART police turned over the results of their preliminary investigation to Orloff's office. The separate investigation by Oakland police was launched last week. The state Attorney General is also monitoring the case.
BART officers had detained Grant and several other passengers at about 2 a.m. on Jan. 1 as they investigated a fight aboard a train from San Francisco.
Grant was lying face-down when Mehserle pulled his service weapon from his holster and fired one shot into his back.
Mehserle resigned last Wednesday rather than answer questions from BART investigators.
His departure came the same day Grant was buried and a peaceful protest at the Fruitvale BART Station erupted into violence in downtown Oakland. Demonstrators set cars on fire and broke windows at dozens of businesses. By night's end, police arrested 105 people.
Chronicle Staff Writers Jaxon Van Derbeken and christopher heredia contributed to this report. E-mail the writers at dbulwa [at] sfchronicle.com and lfulbright [at] sfchronicle.com.
sorry about that. I first saw it on ABC7's site, but now it's all over the internet., including the chronicle and Oakland Tribune, Mercury News, and other newspapers sites.
“Tomorrow will definitely be a day for us to share this good news with folks. The job is not done. He has been arrested but he has not yet been prosecuted. We have to put pressure on DA Orloff…The fight is definitely not over…”
got to keep the pressure up