Oakland homicide victim was likely lured to his death, police say

OAKLAND — Authorities here have identified a man who was killed just hours before his 35th birthday.

Bernardo Tamayo, 33, is believed to have been shot in one part of Oakland, then transported by his killers to the 1400 block of 100th Avenue, where he was left for dead. His body was discovered about an hour before midnight on May 24, authorities said.

The case has been shrouded in mystery ever since. No arrests have been announced and police continue to investigate the strange happenings surrounding Tamayo’s death.

When Tamayo was at Highland Hospital, around the time he was declared dead, a man showed up claiming to be his cousin. Police later learned this person was using a fake name, not related to Tamayo and that the family hadn’t even been informed at the time, authorities said. The man was later arrested in the early morning of May 25, in San Leandro, following a police chase, court records show.

The man was interviewed and claimed to be a close friend of Tamayo who came up with the ruse because he didn’t want an out-of-state arrest warrant to be discovered, authorities said.

Other persons of interest are being investigated. Authorities say Tamayo had been in touch with known criminals before his death, and that a woman had predicted he would end up “in a casket” shortly before he was killed.

Police believe he was lured to his death but haven’t revealed the suspected motive.

Anyone with information may call investigators at 510-238-3821 or 510-238-7950. Anyone with videos or photos that could assist investigators can send them to cidvideos@oaklandca.gov.