By Mike Kinney
The local community is grieving the death of Pinole resident Dave Patrick Underwood, a 53-year-old Federal Protective Service officer who was shot and killed while on duty amid protests in Oakland on Friday.
The shooting occurred at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building at 1301 Clay St. about 9:45 p.m. Friday, amid protesting over the death of George Floyd, according to the FBI.
A white van reportedly pulled up to the building and an occupant began firing gunshots at security personnel stationed outside. Two officers who had been guarding the building amid the protests were shot. Underwood died from his injuries and the other officer is in critical condition, according to federal authorities. “No suspect has been named and it wasn’t clear if the killing was connected to the protest,” the Associated Press reported.
The FBI, along with @oaklandpoliceca and our federal partners, continue to investigate the May 29th shooting of 2 contract security officers for the Federal Protective Service of the DHS. We urge the public to submit any tips related to this shooting to https://t.co/bbJ1cFE1Ea.
— FBI SanFrancisco (@FBISanFrancisco) May 31, 2020
Underwood’s sister, Angela Jacob Underwood, confirmed her brother’s death on Facebook: “My brother, Dave Patrick Underwood, a federal officer, was murdered 5/29/20 in Oakland California, while on duty during the riots. This Violence Must Stop.”
Federal officials are condemning the attacks on the officers. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli called the shooting an “act of domestic terrorism.” Acting Secretary of the DHS Chad Wolf added, “An assassin cowardly shot two federal protective contractors as they stood watch over a protest.”