1 Dead, 3 Arrested After Shooting Retired Oakland Police Captain 6 Times During Robbery

Oakland, CA – A retired Oakland police captain was shot six times during a broad-daylight attack at a gas station late last month.

The Oakland Police Department (OPD) announced on Nov. 22 that three suspects accused of attacking retired Oakland Police Captain Ersie Joyner the afternoon of Oct. 21 have been arrested.

The incident occurred in the 1700-block of Castro Street off Interstate 980 in West Oakland, KPIX reported.

Security footage showed Joyner fueling his vehicle when three suspects suddenly rushed up on him.

One of the suspects appeared to be rifling through Joyner’s pockets while another grabbed his cell phone out of his hand, KPIX reported.

The retired police captain remained calm as one of the suspects opened the door of his car and stole his backpack.

That’s when Joyner suddenly drew his concealed firearm and began shooting at his attackers, hitting at least one of them, KPIX reported.

Two of the suspects fled the scene in a black Nissan.

The third suspect died from his wounds at the scene, KPIX reported.

A fourth suspect was driving the Nissan, according to KRON.

Police said Joyner was shot six times during the ordeal, WPIX reported

He was rushed to Highland Hospital, where he was taken into emergency surgery.

Joyner was subsequently admitted to the hospital’s ICU to continue his recovery, KPIX reported.

“He’s in good spirits,” Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong told KPIX the next day. “[I’m] just really happy to see him and have a chance to be able to say we appreciate everything he’s done. And we look forward to his continuing recovery.”

Investigators said they believe the attack was a random robbery and that the three suspects did not know Joyner.

The OPD announced in a tweet on Nov. 22 they have arrested three people in connection with the shooting.

3 suspects were arrested in connection with the shooting of retired OPD Captain Ersie Joyner.

One was arrested in Houston, TX and two were arrested in Elk Grove, CA.
No additional information will be released at this time. pic.twitter.com/BlmqAcEzdI

— Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) November 23, 2021

The three suspects accused of attacking Joyner were identified by police as 24-year-old Marlon King, 20-year-old Kemandre King, and 20-year-old Desoni Gardner, KRON reported.

Gardner was the suspect who was fatally wounded.

Kemandre King and Marlon King were apprehended in Elk Grove, California, KRON reported.

The getaway driver, 28-year-old Joshua Hayles, was arrested in Texas on Nov. 19.

The three surviving suspects have been charged with Gardner’s murder and for the second-degree robbery of the retired police captain, KRON reported.

Joyner served the OPD for 28 years prior to his retirement in 2019, KPIX reported.

“Ersie Joyner was senselessly attacked and shot while being robbed,” Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley told the news outlet. “We continue to pray for his full recovery. Our thoughts are with him and his family.”