Just to give you an idea of the tenor of things in East Oakland this summer: An Oakland man and his family were shot at just after midnight last night while trying to deliver a fish dinner to a homeless man with whom they'd formed a relationship. The 29-year-old father was shot in the head and his wife was grazed by a bullet on her shoulder, while their two daughters, ages 3 and 7, were unharmed. Setting aside the questionable judgment of roaming International Boulevard after midnight with two small children in tow, this remains a terrible tragedy, and the victim in this case is in grave condition in an Oakland hospital.

According to police, the family had driven to the 1000 block of 47th Avenue near International Blvd. to deliver food to the homeless, which is something they had done in the past. While standing outside their van, a car drove past and someone inside the car shot at them for no apparent reason. Says Oakland police sergeant Michael Gantt, "[He] was just out there doing a good deed and something like this happens. It's devastating. It could have been even more tragic, especially if those children were hit."

The victim's name has not yet been released.

[Tribune]