OAKLAND, Calif. — Two suspects are facing murder charges in the fatal shooting of an Oakland police officer who was responding to a burglary report at a marijuana business. Mark Sanders, 27, of Tracy, and Allen Starr Brown, 28, of Chico, have been charged with the murder of Officer Tuan Le, who was shot in the head while on duty. The suspects are scheduled for arraignment on Thursday, and it is unclear if they have obtained legal representation.
Le, 36, was in plainclothes and driving an unmarked truck when he and other officers responded to a burglary at a suspected illegal cannabis grow house near Jack London Square. The incident occurred shortly after another burglary had been reported in the same area. Upon arriving at the scene, the officers witnessed several individuals leaving the establishment, after which Sanders allegedly opened fire from a car with Brown inside.
The injured officer was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries about four hours later. Le’s death marked the 54th Oakland police officer to die in the line of duty and the first in nearly 15 years. The arrests and charging of the suspects were announced by Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price and Oakland’s interim Police Chief Darren Allison on Wednesday night.
In addition to Sanders and Brown, a third man, Sebron Ray Russell, 30, has been charged with taking part in the burglary. The authorities also mentioned the arrest of Sanders in Livermore, revealing that Le’s handcuffs were used during his arrest. Price reassured Le’s family of their commitment to seeking a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the officer’s killers.
Furthermore, authorities have disclosed that they are actively pursuing other suspects in connection with the burglary. Sanders and Russell have previous criminal records, with reports indicating their involvement in a previous burglary case. The developments in the investigation continue as the Oakland community mourns the loss of Officer Tuan Le.