Thursday's Victim in South Berkeley Appeared to Know Shooter

With Contribution from the Bay City News

Randall Oscar Alston, an 18-year-old Berkeley man, was arrested about half an hour after the fatal shooting of Devin Lee Whitmire on the Sacramento Street at about 7:35 p.m. Thursday.

Investigators believe there are additional suspects in the case and there is a $17,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of all the suspects in the case, said Sgt. Mary Kusmiss.       

Whitmire and his brother were on the sidewalk outside Bob's Liquors on Sacramento and Oregon when they were approached by Alston and a second suspect, according to Officer Shan Johnson.

Whitmire's brother knew and acknowledged Alston and Alston responded by acknowledging Whitmire's brother, according to Johnson.

But Whitmire's brother then saw Alston and the second suspect approach with a black handgun, Johnson said.

The brother yelled a warning to Whitmire and they both began to flee but the brother then heard "numerous gunshots" and discovered that Whitmire had been struck by the gunshots, Johnson said.

About 30 minutes after the shooting, Whitmire's brother spotted Alston and "physically assaulted him," according to Johnson.

Berkeley police who were nearby and spotted the assault then detained the brother and Alston, he said.

The brother identified Alston and said he was one of the people responsible for shooting Whitmire, Johnson said.

Whitmire was taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland, where he was pronounced dead.

Though there are conflicting reports of where Whitmire is from, Berkeley Police Department is reporting he's a Vallejo resident.

Berkeley Police Department is urging those with information about this homicide to call the Homicide detail at (510) 981-5741 or (510) 981-5900.

If the caller wishes to remain anonymous, call the Bay Area Crimes Stoppers at (800)-222-TIPS (8477).