Neighbors, commuters and shoppers were rattled this evening by the increasingly familiar sound of gunfire. A double shooting took place at approximately 6:00 p.m. near the Oakland/Emeryville Target. Two people were hit by gunfire in the exchange and one person has been detained according to the Emeryville Police Department.

The incident took place either near the corner of the parking lot or the path under the 40th Street bridge that Park Avenue District neighbors often use to walk to the store.

One eyewitness, who works nearby, noted he heard an estimated 10-15 rounds fired. “I heard the shots, then I saw people running toward Panera. I saw one guy limping, I’m assuming he was shot somewhere, he tried to open the door of a car trying to turn out of the lot to get away.” Other reports noted an SUV in the lot riddled with bullet holes.

Suspect in a double shooting tonight being led away by EPD on Halleck Street behind the #Oakland/#Emeryville Target.

A post shared by The E’ville Eye Community News (@evilleeye) on Dec 4, 2017 at 8:10pm PST

Another spectator, who was inside the store at the time, described their experience. “Workers very professionally corralled all the customers into the back storage. Police with guns drawn [then] came through the store to clear it.”

“I was bike commuting home with my 5-year-old daughter” noted another neighbor through Facebook who got caught up in the melee. “It felt like shots were just behind us on the street. Really Scary!”

A suspect could be seen shortly after being led away by officers near Halleck and Beach Street and an ambulance was on the scene to assist one of the victims.

The store has been the site of multiple incidents as of late including a disrupted sideshow event on Thanksgiving weekend and a takeover robbery back on September 3rd. The area behind Target has been a well-known trouble spot in the neighborhood for many years. Resident efforts to assist the area have unfortunately been ignored by our current Council.

Both of the victims are being treated at a local hospital for gunshot wounds and are reported to be in critical condition. Three firearms were recovered from the scene according to Emeryville Police Chief Jennifer Tejada.

The location has been closed for the evening and the lot cordoned off while police conduct their investigation. The names of the subjects have not been made public pending the notification of family members.

Since this is breaking news, we will update this post as new information becomes available.