Driver Charged for Attempted Murder of Pedestrians in Downtown Oakland
OAKLAND, CA — Dameon D. Clay, 25, allegedly drove into a crowd of pedestrians intentionally during a
festive night in downtown Oakland. Clay has remained in custody since his arrest earlier this month,
pending a bail hearing on July 20. He is charged with multiple counts of attempted murder.
Police responded to downtown on May 2, where eight pedestrians were mowed down and injured.
Clay was identified as the driver, who fled and left behind his wallet containing two identification cards
in his abandoned car.
The victims were struck shortly after 1:30 a.m., while downtown Oakland was crowded with
pedestrians. It happened a few blocks away from where Oakland First Fridays festival ended a few
hours earlier.
After hitting the pedestrians the car smashed into a security gate before stopping. The driver later
identified as Clay ran away towards San Pablo Avenue.
Detectives built a case against Clay with witness statements and cell phone video recordings of street
brawls on the 500 block of 18th Street. Videos reportedly show Clay fighting with an unidentified
woman, moments before he got into his car, and accelerated onto the sidewalk.
Oakland police arrested Clay at his San Francisco residence on July 2, with assistance from U.S.
Marshals. Clay was booked into Alameda County Santa Rita Jail.
Clay is charged with multiple counts of attempted murder. He is also charged with assault with a
deadly weapon (his car), with enhancement for causing great bodily injuries. Records show Clay has a
prior conviction in San Francisco for carrying a concealed, unregistered firearm in a vehicle.
– By Jim Emerson
Photo: Stock Image
