Photo: Stock Image
Written By: Jim Emerson
OAKLAND — Combined efforts of Oakland police officers and homicide investigators culminated in the arrest of a drive-by murder suspect. The suspect in custody is ineligible for release on bond, pending a plea hearing on December 20th.
Darious P. Smith, a 33-year-old resident of Pleasant Hill, allegedly fatally shot Keison Lee (34) last month. The victim was gunned down in a residential neighborhood near RingCentral Coliseum.
Oakland police responded to the shooting November 4th , shortly after 3 p.m. On the 800 block of 81st Avenue, officers found the victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Police provided first aid until paramedic personnel transported the victim to a hospital, and he was pronounced dead.
OPD’s Homicide Section took the lead in investigating circumstances surrounding this fatal shooting. Smith was taken into custody on December 6 at 10:30 a.m., without further incident. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail at 4:42 p.m.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Smith the following day. He faces 15 felony charges and special allegations. His charges include murder and drive-by murder, and intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury.
Smith has prior arrests and convictions. Since 2016 he has been locked up six times, including for a firearm assault in 2018. He was convicted in 2019 for corporal injury to a relationship partner and sentenced to probation for five years.
