Man Killed Over Parking Space

[bloodrayne]

Man Killed Over Parking Space Dispute

Oakland, California -- A 33-year-old Oakland man was gunned down in a "silly" argument over a parking space at his apartment complex, police said today.

Samuel Navarro was shot to death about 7:45 p.m Monday after he and a friend parked a car in someone else's assigned space at Navarro's apartment building at 77 Pearl St. near Lake Merritt.

"It's just silly that this resulted in a homicide," said homicide Sgt. Tony Jones. "A guy parks in the wrong parking space. They argue. A gun comes out, and a man is dead."

Jones said police are still seeking the suspect involved in the dispute but declined to release his name or description.

The incident began when Navarro's friend parked his vehicle in the suspect's assigned parking spot, said Oakland police Officer Roland Holmgren. Navarro, who was a passenger, and the friend had just stopped at Navarro's apartment to drop something off and they were trying to leave.

"The victim was parked in the suspect's stall, then the suspect blocked him in, and he was taking too long to leave, argument ensued and now we have a homicide," Holmgren said. "It goes to show you never know who you're dealing with ... or where it could lead -- that's the scariest thing about this case."

There are only eight spaces for the apartment complex and there sometimes are tensions over parking. Pearl Street is in Adams Point, a popular neighborhood near Lake Merritt that normally sees very little violent crime. It is an area known for its lack of street parking.

Navarro had moved to the apartment in the past year or so from another part of Oakland, neighbors said. They said Navarro was a self-employed hauler who leaves behind a wife and small children.

Navarro is the third person to be killed in Oakland so far this year. There were 148 homicides in Oakland in 2006 compared to 94 in 2005. At his inauguration on Monday, new Mayor Ron Dellums said reducing violence was his first task this year.