Separate fatal shootings on Tuesday that claimed the lives of 31-year-old James Langford III and 21-year-old Tyree Wilson appear to be connected, police said.
At about 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to S. 2nd Street and Ohio Avenue on reports of a shooting and found Langford, of San Pablo, suffering from gunshot wounds in the driver’s seat of his car, police said. The former professional football player, motivational speaker, community advocate and mentor died at the scene.
Police believe Langford was headed to a local gym to work out when suspects in a Silver Infiniti G37 pulled up. The assailants got out and walked up to him as he was sitting in the driver’s seat of his car and opened fire, police said. The Silver Infiniti G37 fled the scene along with another vehicle that appears to have been involved, described as a black Dodge Charger.
About 20 minutes later, Wilson had just returned from getting food when he was fatally shot in his car in the Pullman Townhouses, police said. Police believe the suspect vehicle involved in Wilson’s murder is the same Dodge Charger that fled the scene of Langford’s murder.
Police don’t believe Langford and Wilson knew one another and are investigating motives, including the possibility that the shootings were done at random.
On Thursday, American Football International, the league where Langford played for the Cologne Crocodiles (Germany) and Kragujevac Wild Boars (Serbia) in 2015-2016, released a statement expressing “deep regret” over his passing and recalling his football accomplishments.
The Standard featured Langford on several occasions, including about his motivational YouTube videos from when he was working toward his goal of playing professional football.
Police have released images of the suspect vehicles and are asking anyone with information to contact them at 510-233-1214 or on the anonymous tip line at (510) 307-T1PS (8177).
