OAKLAND — A 67-year-old man fatally shot outside his West Oakland home last week was an innocent victim hit by a stray bullet fired during a gun battle between the occupants of moving vehicles, police said.
Tony Jerome Norman was shot about 5 p.m. Aug. 27 after walking home from BART to his residence in the 700 block of 17th Street after completing his shift as a security guard at a San Francisco Kaiser Permanente hospital.
As he was outside his home, police said, the occupants of multiple vehicles driving eastbound on 17th street began shooting at each other. Numerous shots were fired, prompting the activation of a gunshot detection system.
Norman was hit by a stray round and died at the scene.
The vehicles kept driving after the shooting and it was not known if any of the occupants were wounded. No arrests have been made so far, authorities said.
His wife was inside their home and heard the gunfire, but did not realize until later that it was her husband who had been killed, authorities said.
In a narrative accompanying an online fundraiser for his return to his native North Carolina and funeral, Norman was remembered by family members as “a hardworking man who spent years providing security for various (single room occupancy hotels) in San Francisco” who built his life in Oakland with his wife of 22 years “and dedicated himself to the family he created in California, his faith, and his community.”
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He was “an innocent victim caught in gunfire unrelated to him or his actions” who “didn’t deserve this,” the narrative says. “He was a man who showed up every day, did his job, loved his family, and lived with integrity. His loss has left a deep void in our lives.”
Kaiser Permanente said in a statement: “Tony was a warm and engaging presence at our San Francisco Medical Center, greeting each day with optimism and always offering a helping hand. We are saddened at his tragic passing, sharing the grief of many, and extend our condolences to his family and friends on the loss of their loved one.”
As of Wednesday afternoon the fundraiser had gained $10,963 toward its goal of $12,000. Those wishing to donate can access the account at gofund.me/7c545482.
Anyone with information about the killing may contact Oakland homicide investigators at 510-238-3821 or 510-238-7950. Anyone with pictures or video of the shooting can e-mail them to [email protected].