Two charged with murdering 64-year-old man, and attempting to kill each other, in hectic Oakland gas station shootout
OAKLAND — Prosecutors have charged two people with murdering a 64-year-old man during a shootout in an Oakland gas station last week — including a woman who was reportedly struck by gunfire and paralyzed while shooting.
Stavon Moore, 28, and Tyja Braswell, 21, were both charged with murdering 64-year-old Rodney Davis at a gas station near 102nd Avenue and International Boulevard on March 19. A third defendant, Tamia Foster, is charged with assault for allegedly handing a gun to Moore.
But in a twist, both Braswell and Moore face another serious charge: Attempting to murder each other. That’s because police believe they exchanged gunfire after Foster and Moore got into an argument with Braswell inside the gas station.
Oakland police investigator Michel Khem wrote in a probable cause statement that during the argument a little after 8 p.m., Foster retrieved a firearm and handed it to Moore, who shot first. Braswell returned fire with her own pistol; during the exchange of gunfire, Davis — an innocent bystander — was struck in the head and killed, police allege.
All three have felony convictions that make it illegal for them to possess guns and ammunition, according to the criminal complaint. Moore and Foster are also charged with possessing a concealed gun inside their vehicle.
Video surveillance footage of the shootout that has been publicly released shows Braswell screaming “Don’t shoot me,” then screaming for help after she is struck by gunfire. She appears to be hit a second time as she’s lying down outside, after setting the gun down.
The news station KTVU reported that Braswell was paralyzed after being shot five times, and remains in Highland Hospital, where she is effectively being detained by police. Davis’ loved ones told the news station that he was a U.S. Army veteran who was in the area to visit his girlfriend.
Both Moore and Foster are being held without bail in Santa Rita Jail, according to court records.