3 Killed, 3 Wounded in California Party Shooting

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. -- Roger Kiel stood at the yellow and black crime scene tape Sunday looking at his dark green Ford Explorer, the front windshield shot up with bullet holes, the side windows shattered, clothes and garbage strewn around the vehicle.

He last spoke to his only child, Shanice, about 11 p.m. Saturday when she arrived at the tattoo party in a warehouse at the corner of Alvarado Street and Aladdin Avenue in an industrial part of San Leandro. Such parties involve people who have tattoos and show them off at the gathering.

"She called and said she was safe. She told me she loved me," he said.

The 19-year-old woman from San Francisco was one of the three young people shot to death in the early hours of Sunday morning by suspects still at large Sunday night. Three other victims were wounded but their conditions were not available Sunday night.

She drove the Ford Explorer to the event and police believe she was sitting in the passenger seat when she was shot, her father said. "I'm devastated. I'm looking at my car with bullet holes in it where I sit so I know my daughter died a (painful) death." Kiel family members identified the other female victim as Lanisha Worthington, 16, and said a 23-year-old Josh Alfred of Oakland was also killed. Police have not confirmed the names of the victims.

Alfred's cousin, 22 year old San Francisco resident Edrina Strother said Josh was a warehouse worker who was expecting his first child. "His girlfriend is six months pregnant," she said. Alfred was also into tattoos and having a good time.

"Overall, he was cool, laid back person," Strotehr said. "He liked to party, have fun and he was very family oriented."

San Leandro police Sgt. Doug Calcagno said six people were shot "in and around the vehicle" about 1:20 a.m. Sunday.

Police said that at least two gunmen opened fire after the party ended and the attendees were in the parking lot.

The party, reportedly advertised on Facebook, drew hundreds to the warehouse, but the posting was gone Sunday. Police would not confirm the name of the organizer or organizers.

"We have a couple of different names and are looking at various avenues right now," said Calcagno.

Organizers charged admission to the event but police had not located a mandatory city permit Sunday, he said.

Kiel, 51, said his daughter was studying at San Francisco State University and wanted to be a fashion designer. She worked at a clothing store and designed clothes and jewelry on the side, relatives said. "She was very smart, very articulate," her father said.

She was also into tattoos. "She's covered with them," he said.

Kiel had been upset with his daughter early Sunday because she hadn't come home or called, which was highly unusual, he said.

He called his sister, Sharon Bankston, who said she had seen a TV news report about a shooting in San Leandro and a picture of what appeared to be his dark green Ford Explorer.

"I called the San Leandro police and asked to speak to a sergeant. When I said my name, his tone changed," Roger Kiel said. "I asked him if I should come down and he said 'yes.'"

He pleaded for witnesses to contact the police.

"We know there were a lot of people there and if you know or saw something, please call San Leandro police. If I can get some justice for her, my baby can rest in peace," he said.

Relatives said Shanice was raised in the East Bay and attended Berkeley High School. "She was very bright," said her aunt, Brenda Stewart.

"I believe she would have made it in the fashion word and I believe her life was taken before she had a chance."

Calcagno said police are still trying to find the owners of the business park where the shooting happened, to see who rented the building.

The complex is called Gardco Industrial Park. Agents listed on the rental sign for the business park were not immediately available for comment.

"It doesn't hit home til it hits your home," said Stewart. "We just wish that people who saw it would come forward and help police."

Police are asking for the public's assistance in their investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call San Leandro police directly at 510-577-3232 or the tip line at 510-577-3278.

Copyright 2011 - The Oakland Tribune, Calif.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service